Author: caustin
Idaho Law Foundation President’s Message: Reflecting on Achievements & Looking Ahead by Kimberlee S. Bratcher
Happy New Year to all! In July 2025, I began my term as President of the Idaho Law Foundation, taking over from Sunrise Ayers. We owe her a tremendous debt of gratitude for her service. Sunrise has been a driving…
Read Full ArticleAI in the Courts: Balancing Tradition and Innovation by Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan
Nearly a decade ago, as a district judge in Twin Falls, I was the first of our judges to start using electronic court records. At the time, I felt a little like a pioneer with a new map hand—excited about…
Read Full ArticlePutting Kids Through Their PaCEs: How Positive Childhood Experiences Can Support Resilience Practices in Overcoming Trauma by Janice Beller
When Jenny Easley, Program Manager for CASA of Southwest Idaho,[1] reflects on her six and a half years of work as a guardian ad litem in child welfare cases, she will tell you that she has seen some amazingly resilient…
Read Full ArticleSIJS—Protecting Vulnerable Foreign National Children—A Path to Stability by A. Denise Penton and Betsaida Chavez-Hermes
On Friday, October 3, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched an operation referred to as “Freaky Friday,” targeting a limited group of unaccompanied minors. Unaccompanied minors are foreign national children who have traveled from their home country to the…
Read Full ArticleRecent Changes to the Child Protective Act and Its Impact on Permanency by Jason Chandler
Introduction When children come into foster care, their lives are turned upside down. Children often change schools, communities, friends, and homes. Little children miss out on crucial bonding time with their parents and teenagers struggle with the lack of a…
Read Full ArticleFive Impactful Changes to Child Protection Law from the 2025 Legislative Session by Hon. Andrew N.J. Ellis
The 2025 Idaho Legislative Session generated at least six bills affecting Idaho’s child welfare system. The following are five statutory additions or amendments that every Child Protection practitioner and judge should be aware of. Additional Review Hearings and Accelerated Timelines…
Read Full ArticleOutgoing President’s Message: From the Roadshow, Connections That Sustain Our Profession by Kristin Bjorkman
From the Roadshow: Connections That Sustain Our Profession As I sit down to write this message, the sights and conversations of the Resolution Roadshow are still vivid in my mind. Only a week has passed since I concluded three weeks…
Read Full Article2025 Resolution Results
The Bar membership considered six resolutions during the 2025 resolution process. All six resolutions were passed by the membership. The vote tally is available below. The proposed changes to the rules, as approved by the membership, will be submitted to…
Read Full ArticleScam Alert: Phishing Email Impersonating ISB Executive Director
We have been notified of a phishing scam email attempt, in which the scammers are impersonating Idaho State Bar Executive Director, Maureen Braley and requesting personal information. This email did not originate from the Idaho State Bar. Do not click on…
Read Full ArticleAttorneys for Civic Education and Idahoans for Open Government Fall CLE Series
Join the Attorneys for Civic Education and Idahoans for Open Government for their fall CLE series on open and transparent government. Each of the four presentations feature prominent and knowledgeable speakers, are free to members of the bar and the…
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