Author: Lindsey Welfley

The Idaho Supreme Court has issued an Order establishing how court proceedings and facilities will be operated as of May 1, 2020. Please read the full Order linked below:

In Re: Emergency Reduction in Court Services and Limitation of Access to Court Facilities

The Idaho Supreme Court has issued an Order regarding the further extension of emergency reduction in court services and limitation of access to court facilities through April 30, 2020. Please read the full Order linked below:

In Re: Extension of Emergency Reduction in Court Services and Limitation of Access to Court Facilities

The Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners is now soliciting nominations for professional awards. These awards were initiated by the Board of Commissioners to highlight members who demonstrate exemplary leadership, direction, and commitment in their profession.

• Distinguished Lawyer – This award is given to an attorney (or attorneys) each year who has distinguished the profession through exemplary conduct and many years of dedicated service to the profession and to Idaho citizens.
• Distinguished Jurist Award – This award recognizes excellence, integrity, and independence by a member of the judiciary. Nominees are selected for their competence, fairness, goodwill, and professionalism.
• Professionalism Awards – These awards are given to at least one attorney in each of Idaho’s seven judicial districts who has engaged in extraordinary activity in his or her community, in the state, or in the profession, which reflects the highest standards of professionalism.
• Pro Bono Awards – Pro bono awards are presented to attorneys from each of the judicial districts that have donated extraordinary time and effort to help clients who are unable to pay for services.
• Service Awards – Service awards are given each year to lawyers and non-lawyers for exemplary service to the Bar and/or Idaho Law Foundation.
• Outstanding Young Lawyer – The purpose of this award is to recognize a young lawyer who has provided service to the profession, the Idaho State Bar, Idaho Law Foundation, the community and who exhibits professional excellence.
• Section of the Year – The Practice Section of the Year Award is presented in recognition of a Section’s outstanding contribution to the Idaho State Bar, to their area of practice, to the legal profession, and to the community. Recipients of the awards will be announced in May.

Award nominations should include the following:

• Name of the award
• Name, address, phone, and email of the person(s) you are nominating
• A short description of the nominee’s activity in your community or in the state, which you believe brings credit to the legal profession and qualifies him or her for the award you have indicated
• Any supporting documents or letters you want to be included with the nomination
• Your name, along with your address, phone, and email

You can nominate a person for more than one award. Nominations are accepted throughout the year. Submit nominations to: Executive Director, Idaho State Bar, PO Box 895, Boise ID 83701 or email Diane Minnich.

The United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Idaho have issued a General Order regarding continued court operations in response to coronavirus (COVID-19). Please read the full Order linked below:

In Re: Continued Court Operations in Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Voting opened on Monday, April 20 and will conclude at 5:00 p.m. (MT) on Tuesday, May 5.

The candidate for Commissioner to represent the Third and Fifth Districts is:

Laird B. Stone

The candidates for Commissioners to represent the Fourth District are:

Kristin Bjorkman Dunn
Mark H. Manweiler

Candidate bios are available HERE.

Ballot information was sent to you on Monday morning from vote@electionsonline.com. It will contain a link to the voting page, your personal login information, and password.

If you did not receive a message with your personalized ballot information, please check your spam or junk folder. If you are still unable to find the ballot, or if you prefer a paper ballot, please contact Shay Beckwith. A reminder email will be sent to individuals who have not voted by May 1.

We encourage your participation in this election.

It is time to elect the Commissioner to represent the Third and Fifth Districts. Voting opened on Monday, April 20 and will conclude at 5:00 p.m. (MT) on Tuesday, May 5. The candidates are:

Laird B. Stone

Ballot information was sent to you on Monday morning from vote@electionsonline.com. It will contain a link to the voting page, your personal login information, and password.

If you did not receive a message with your personalized ballot information, please check your spam or junk folder. If you are still unable to find the ballot, or if you prefer a paper ballot, please contact Shay Beckwith. A reminder email will be sent to individuals who have not voted by May 1.

We encourage your participation in this election.

The Idaho Supreme Court has issued an Order regarding May 2020 oral arguments. All Supreme Court hearings scheduled during the month of May 2020 will be conducted via Zoom video conferencing, on the date and time currently set for oral argument. Please read the full Order linked below:

In Re: Supreme Court May 2020 Oral Arguments

The Idaho Supreme Court has issued an Order regarding the extension of emergency reduction in court services and limitation of access to court facilities. Please read the full Order linked below.

In Re: Extension of Emergency Reduction in Court Services

Please see the links below for this year’s nominating petitions for the upcoming Board of Commissioners Election:

2020 BOC Nominating Petition – 3rd & 5th Districts

2020 BOC Nominating Petition – 4th District