Category: Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 31, 2018-The Idaho State Bar will present two awards to North-Central Idaho attorneys and will recognize one judge at the Second District Bar Annual Resolution Meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 1. The meeting will be held at Ernie’s Steakhouse, 2305 Nez Perce Drive in Lewiston, beginning at 5:45 pm.

• University of Idaho College of Law Professor Maureen Laflin will receive the Professionalism Award. Professor Laflin has taught at the Moscow campus since 1991, reaching tenure in 2001. She directs law school’s clinical programs, trial advocacy program and Northwest Institute for Dispute Resolutions. She has taught courses on family mediation, lawyering process, negotiation and dispute resolution and mediating the criminal case. A published scholar, Professor Laflin has received the University of Idaho Alumni Award of Excellence for Faculty on three occasions. A graduate of St. Louis University School of Law, she was admitted into the Idaho State Bar in 1992.

The Idaho State Bar Professionalism 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.

• Sarah McDowell-Lamont, a University of Idaho College of Law graduate, will receive the Denise O’Donnell Day Pro Bono Award. Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. (ILAS), nominated Ms. McDowell-Lamont for the award for her generous support of the organization. She began her involvement in law school and has continued to volunteer since being admitted into the Idaho State Bar in 2008. In 2017, the Lewiston office for ILAS was without a managing attorney, and Ms. McDowell-Lamont stepped up without hesitation to take on five domestic violence family law cases. A solo practitioner in Lewiston, her focus is family law, divorce, child custody and child support, adoptions and guardianships.

The Denise O’Donnell Day Pro Bono Awards are presented to the person(s) from each judicial district that have donated extraordinary time and effort to help clients who are unable to pay for services.

• The Honorable Randall W. Robinson will be recognized by the Bar for his dedication and service as a magistrate judge for Clearwater County. Judge Robinson retired earlier this year from the bench. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law and in 2019 will be celebrating 40 years as a member of the Idaho State Bar.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 31, 2018-The Idaho State Bar will present four awards to North Idaho attorneys at the First District Bar Annual Resolution Meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 1. The meeting will be held at Honey Eatery and Social Club, 317 E. Sherman Avenue in Coeur d’Alene, beginning at Noon.

• Michael E. Ramsden with Ramsden, Marfice, Ealy & Harris will receive the Professionalism Award. Mr. Ramsden was admitted into the Idaho State Bar in 1979 and has extensive experience in the areas of civil litigation, medical malpractice defense, product liability defense, insurance law, personal injury defense, and civil rights litigation. He is active in the Bar’s Litigation Section and mentors newer attorneys bi-annually at the Trial Skills Academy. Mr. Ramsden is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel, the Defense Research Institute and the Idaho Association of Defense Counsel. He is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law.

The Idaho State Bar Professionalism 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.

• Michael T. Howard will receive the Denise O’Donnell Day Pro Bono Award for his legal representation in a guardianship case. Mr. Howard represented a maternal aunt who petitioned for guardianship of her nephew, who mother was battling with drug addiction. An Idaho native practicing law since 1999, Mr. Howard, the current president of the Idaho State Bar, is a Principal with Winston & Cashatt. He graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law.

The Denise O’Donnell Day Pro Bono Awards are presented to the person(s) from each judicial district that have donated extraordinary time and effort to help clients who are unable to pay for services.

• Saviraj “Savi” Grewal of Coeur d’Alene will receive an Idaho State Bar Service Award. Grewal is a solo practitioner with the Law Office of Savi Grewal and is immediate past chairperson of the Idaho State Bar’s Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section. Highlights of her service also include: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteer, past president of the John P. Gray Inn of Court, past president of the First District Bar Association, and Law Day volunteer.
• Coeur d’Alene attorney Janell Burke will receive an Idaho State Bar Service Award. Burke is a former chairperson of the Kootenai County Bar Association and former president of the First District Bar Association. She is former board member for the John P. Gray Inn of Court and served from 2011 to 2014 on the Idaho State Bar’s Professional Conduct Board. Burke is active in planning judicial retirement gatherings and various bar related events in the Coeur d’Alene area.

Service Awards are given each year to lawyers and non-lawyers for exemplary service to the Idaho State Bar and/or Idaho Law Foundation.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–FREE Legal Clinic for Veterans

Idaho Falls, Idaho – Attorneys from the Seventh District Bar Association will offer a free legal clinic for veterans. The clinic will focus on providing simple wills, but veterans are welcome to seek guidance on any legal matter.

The clinic will be held on September 20, 2018 from 6:30-7:30 pm at the American Legion Hall, 485 Constitution Way, Idaho Falls, ID 83402.

“One of my favorite aspects of being a lawyer is helping people figure out how to solve or prevent problems,” said attorney Leland Faux, one of the event organizers. “The veterans’ clinic is a great opportunity to helped those who have served our country.”

A simple will may take between 30 minutes to an hour to complete. Veterans seeking legal consultations on other matters should plan on 30 minutes. Services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are a veteran and want to attend the clinic please RSVP to Jonathan Harris; however, veterans who have not RSVP’d are nonetheless welcome to attend.

For additional information, please contact:

Jonathan Harris, Pro Bono Chair
Seventh District Bar Association
208-785-2310 | jwharris@bakerharrislaw.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 16, 2018-Michael R. McBride with McBride, Roberts and Romrell of Idaho Falls will receive an Idaho State Bar Service Award on July 19 at the Idaho State Bar Annual Meeting in Sun Valley. McBride is past president of the Idaho State Bar’s Workers Compensation Section’s Kid’s Chance Scholarship Program. He helped establish the ‘Head Smart’ campaign, a children’s bicycle helmet ‘giveaway’ and helped form the ‘Get Government’ Scholarship, awarded to high school seniors based upon their academic and service related efforts.

Service Awards are given each year to lawyers and non-lawyers for exemplary service to the Idaho State Bar and/or Idaho Law Foundation.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 16, 2018-David P. Gardner of Pocatello will receive an Idaho State Bar Service Award on July 19 at the Idaho State Bar Annual Meeting in Sun Valley. Gardner is a partner at Hawley Troxell. He is a former chairperson of the Idaho State Bar Workers Compensation Section, a former president of the Sixth District Bar Association, a volunteer for the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and a member of the Access to Justice Idaho Campaign leadership committee.

Service Awards are given each year to lawyers and non-lawyers for exemplary service to the Idaho State Bar and/or Idaho Law Foundation.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 16, 2018-The Honorable N. Randy Smith of Pocatello will receive the Idaho State Bar’s highest judiciary honor – the Distinguished Jurist Award – July 18 during the Idaho State Bar Annual Meeting in Sun Valley. Judge Smith was appointed as a Sixth Judicial District Judge by Idaho Governor Phil Batt in 1995. He served as the District Court’s Administrative Judge from 2004 to 2007. In 2007, President George W. Bush nominated Judge Smith to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, where he was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Judge Smith served on the Idaho State Bar’s Lawyer Assistance Program Committee, Character and Fitness Committee, and Bar Exam Preparation Committee. In 2002, he received the Bar’s Service Award. He is a member of the Ninth Circuit’s ADR Committee, Bankruptcy Committee, and is a former member of the Executive Committee. For the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, Judge Smith has served as past conference chairperson, past program chairperson, and past executive committee member. He is a member of the Judicial Conference Committee on the Administration of the Bankruptcy System. Judge Smith received his undergraduate degree and law degree from Brigham Young University. He plans to retire in August 2018.

The Distinguished Jurist Award recognizes excellence, integrity and independence by a member of the judiciary. Individuals are selected for their competence, fairness, goodwill and professionalism.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 16, 2018-Randall C. Budge of Pocatello will receive the Idaho State Bar’s highest honor – the Distinguished Lawyer Award – July 18 during the Idaho State Bar Annual Meeting in Sun Valley. Budge is a partner with the law firm Racine Olson. He received his law degree from the University of Idaho College of Law. His practice’s main focus is estate and succession planning, business, real estate, and water law. In 2008, Budge received the Idaho State Bar’s Professionalism Award. He is an active member of the Idaho State Bar’s Business & Corporate Law Section and Real Property Section. Budge’s public service includes 48 years on the National Ski Patrol, including eight years on its National Board and a term as Assistant National Director. He previously served the maximum eight years allowed on the Idaho Fish and Game Commission including a period as Chairperson.

The Distinguished Lawyer 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.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 16, 2018-Idaho Court of Appeals Judge Jessica M. Lorello of Boise will receive an Idaho State Bar Service Award on July 19 at the Idaho State Bar Annual Meeting in Sun Valley. Judge Lorello is the co-chair and founding member of Attorneys for Civic Education whose mission supports civic education programs including high school mock trial competitions, We the People, and Youth in Government. The immediate past vice-chairperson of the Idaho State Bar’s Appellate Practice Section, Judge Lorello provided pro bono legal services for cases related to the Violence Against Women Act as a private attorney. She also volunteered at the Boise Senior Center free legal clinic.

Service Awards are given each year to lawyers and non-lawyers for exemplary service to the Idaho State Bar and/or Idaho Law Foundation.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 16, 2018-Chelsea E. Kidney with the Idaho Attorney General’s Office will receive an Idaho State Bar Service Award on July 19 at the Idaho State Bar Annual Meeting in Sun Valley. Kidney is the immediate past chairperson for the Taxation, Probate & Trust Law Section of the Idaho State Bar. During her tenure as chairperson, the Section provided free learning opportunities to its members and financial assistance to an array of causes including the Access to Justice Idaho Campaign, the Idaho Academy of Leadership for Lawyers, the University of Idaho College of Law, and Concordia University School of Law.

Service Awards are given each year to lawyers and non-lawyers for exemplary service to the Idaho State Bar and/or Idaho Law Foundation.

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