The Idaho Supreme Court and the United States Courts, District of Idaho, held a joint admission ceremony on October 23, 2026, at the Boise Centre in downtown Boise, welcoming 134 new attorneys to Idaho’s legal community.

The venue was filled with pride and promise as the new attorneys took the solemn oath to uphold the Constitution, the rule of law, and the highest ethical standards of the law. The admission ceremony marked a significant milestone for the newest members of the legal profession, bringing together members of the judiciary, bar leaders, family, and friends to celebrate their achievement.

Chief Justice Robyn Brody presided over the ceremony. Remarks were delivered by Frederick J. (F.J.) Hahn, President of the Board of Commissioners of the Idaho State Bar; Kimberlee Bratcher, President, Board of Directors of the Idaho Law Foundation; and Judge David C. Nye, U.S. District Judge, District of Idaho.

Honorable Amanda K. Brailsford, Chief U.S. District Judge, District of Idaho opened the ceremony by welcoming the hundreds of attendees gathered to recognize the accomplishments of Idaho’s newest attorneys.

Melanie Gagnepain, Clerk of the Idaho Supreme Court, administered the oath of admission to applicants who were successful on their July Idaho bar examination and who had satisfied all requirements for admission. John Shirts, U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho, presented the motion for admission to the bar, while Stephen W. Kenyon, Clerk of the U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts, administered the federal oath of admission. Each candidate received a certificate of admission, formally marking the beginning of their legal careers.

Kimberlee Bratcher welcomed the new attorneys and encouraged them to become involved in public service through the Idaho Law Foundation. She highlighted the meaningful impact attorneys can have by using their education and skills to support communities in need.

“There’s really nothing more powerful than using your law degree and all that education and training to help somebody find safety, stability, and peace of mind,” Bratcher said.

She also encouraged the new admittees to bring their perspectives and enthusiasm to the profession.

“We need new faces, new ideas, and new energy. This is your Bar and this is your Foundation,” she added.

F.J. Hahn congratulated the new attorneys on their achievement and recognized them as the first group of applicants to pass the NextGen Bar Exam. He emphasized that credibility is fundamental to a successful legal career, beginning with the trust attorneys build with themselves and their clients.

“I think you have to practice with credibility, and it starts with credibility to yourself and to your client. And if you reread the oath that you took, it’s filled with the idea of credibility,” Hahn said.

He reminded the new attorneys that professional reputations take time and dedication to build but can be lost in an instant. “Reputations are a lot like forests—it takes many years to grow, but they can burn down with one match,” he said.

Judge David C. Nye then addressed the new attorneys, noting that in his 40 years of practice, this was the largest group he had witnessed taking the oath.

“For each of you, today represents a culmination of many years of hard work, dedication, perseverance, and sacrifice,” Judge Nye said. “Today has been the anticipated finish line. It is the end you thought would never come. You made it to the finish line but, even with all the hard work, you’ve only just begun the process of becoming an attorney.”

He encouraged the new admittees to view the occasion not as the end of their journey, but as the beginning of a new chapter.

“Today represents a fresh new starting line, the beginning of your career. Your status has changed…You are a member of one of the most noble professions of all time. In America, the institution of law is majestic in its purpose and promise, it is the envy of the world,” Nye said.

Nye concluded by reminding the new attorneys of the Idaho State Bar’s mission: to promote high standards of professional conduct and advance the administration of justice.

“You can’t do one without the other,” he explained.

As the 134 new attorneys begin their careers, the ceremony served as both a celebration of their accomplishments and a reminder of the responsibilities that come with the privilege of practicing law. Their admission marks the start of a professional journey grounded in integrity, service, and a commitment to the rule of law. The ceremony was followed by a celebratory reception. He encouraged the new admittees to view the occasion not as the end of their journey, but as the beginning of a new chapter.

“Today represents a fresh new starting line, the beginning of your career. Your status has changed….You are a member of one of the most noble professions of all time. In America, the institution of law is majestic in its purpose and promise, it is the envy of the world,” Nye said.

Nye concluded by reminding the new attorneys of the Idaho State Bar’s mission: to promote high standards of professional conduct and advance the administration of justice.

“You can’t do one without the other,” he explained.

As the 127 new attorneys begin their careers, the ceremony served as both a celebration of their accomplishments and a reminder of the responsibilities that come with the privilege of practicing law. Their admission marks the start of a professional journey grounded in integrity, service, and a commitment to the rule of law. The ceremony was followed by a celebratory reception.