T. Guy Hallam Jr.

Published May 2022

Trial lawyers are important. The Idaho Trial Lawyers Association (“ITLA”) has been protecting the access to justice for all and working to preserve the constitutional right to a trial by jury for nearly 55 years.

A handful of Idaho attorneys founded the ITLA in 1967 to ensure that Article I, Section 7 of the Idaho Constitution, which says that “The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate,” is consistently upheld. That handful of attorneys has become a team of hundreds of trial lawyers working to better the legal community in Idaho while championing the access to courts for all Idaho citizens. Some of the programs of the ITLA include:

The Street Law Clinic

For years, the ITLA Street Law Clinic has provided pro bono legal advice to citizens of Idaho who might otherwise be unable to afford to get their legal questions answered. At the ITLA Street Law Clinic, law students work with volunteer ITLA trial attorneys to provide this service to the community.

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, this previously in-person clinic has morphed into a telephonic and/or video undertaking which serves persons throughout Idaho. Hundreds of law student and trial attorney volunteers have provided thousands of hours of time over the course of Street Law Clinic operations. Upcoming dates and details regarding the ITLA Street Law Clinic can be found on the ITLA website, at: https://www.itla.org/?pg=StreetLawClinic.

Education

The ITLA also provides top tier education and courses for attorneys. At least three times a year, the ITLA provides a full day of continuing legal education classes. The speakers at ITLA classes are nationally recognized attorneys and experts, state and federal judges, and local trial attorneys who cover cutting edge topics and practical trial skills. The ITLA believes that the location of its courses should also highlight the beauty and activities of Idaho, so summer events and CLEs are in Sun Valley, fall events and CLEs in McCall, with additional stops in Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Jackson, Wyoming, and an occasional trip to Jackpot, Nevada.

Legislative advocacy

The ITLA is committed to ensuring that changes to Idaho law do not erode a citizen’s access to our courts. ITLA has a governmental relations committee which reviews legislation, suggests amendments to bills, and assures the ability of Idahoans to hold others accountable for their actions under the civil justice system. The associated ITLA PAC was organized to support and elect candidates who will uphold and strengthen the civil justice system and defend the constitutional right to trial by jury.

Building a community of Idaho Trial Lawyers

Most importantly, the ITLA is about building a community of trial lawyers who serve the citizens of Idaho. ITLA members are able to access the expertise of fellow trial lawyers, whether it be through networking at meetings and CLEs, during practice specific working groups, or through a trial lawyer only listserve. The ITLA also recognizes greatness and service amongst its members, whether it be excellence in trial advocacy (the James J. May Trial Lawyer of the Year Award), outstanding professionalism in the practice of law (the Walter H. Bithell Professionalism Award), service to the ITLA (the Darrel Aherin ITLA Service Award), or years of supporting efforts to improve civil justice (the ITLA Civil Justice Partner Award).

                Despite all of these ongoing accomplishments and activities, this is the first time that the ITLA has sponsored an issue of the Advocate. We hope that you will enjoy this issue, which contains articles on a variety of topics important to trial attorneys and litigants in Idaho.

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