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 of traveling across our great state, visiting members of the Idaho State Bar in every district. These visits—part listening tour, part update session, part reunion—are among the experiences I cherish most in my role as President of the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners. They keep me grounded in the daily realities of our profession, connected to practitioners, and reminded me of the shared purpose that binds us. It is no exaggeration to say that I look forward to the Roadshow every year, and it is equally true that I will deeply miss it when my term concludes.

Each stop on the Roadshow carries its own unique rhythm and personality, but they share a structure that has become familiar and beloved. Over lunch or dinner, we gather as colleagues and friends. We recognize local attorneys who exemplify the very best of our profession. And we sit down together to engage in open, candid discussions about proposed changes to our rules—because the work of maintaining the integrity of the Idaho State Bar is a collective undertaking.

One of the highlights of each district visit is the chance to honor lawyers whose service reflects the highest values of our profession. The Professionalism Award, one of the most significant honors an Idaho lawyer can receive, recognizes attorneys who truly elevate the practice of law. These honorees demonstrate civility, diligence, integrity, courtesy, and cooperation. Their reputations reflect not only their skill but also their character, and their conduct brings distinction to the entire legal community. Each time we hear about the recipients for these awards, I am reminded of the quiet leadership and steady excellence in our community.

We also proudly recognize the honorees of the Pro Bono Awards, attorneys who give generously and without expectation of reward—representing veterans, assisting families in crisis, and stepping into difficult matters because someone needed their help. Listening to their stories is humbling. These lawyers remind us that our license is both a privilege and a responsibility, and that access to justice depends in large part on our willingness to serve.

This year, we added something especially meaningful to our Roadshow tradition. In each district, we also recognized and celebrated attorneys marking remarkable milestones—25, 40, 50, 60, and even 65 years since their admission to the Idaho bar. Honoring these individuals was a powerful reminder of the longevity and dedication that strengthen our profession. Their decades of service have shaped courts, communities, and generations of lawyers. We also recognized retiring judges whose careers have left an indelible imprint on the fair administration of justice. Celebrating their contributions alongside our annual award recipients added a depth and richness to our gatherings that I will not soon forget.

But beyond the formalities, what makes the Roadshow so meaningful are the personal conversations—the exchanges that reveal the depth and diversity of our profession across the state.

In the First District, I had the pleasure of meeting Judge Combo, who, as it turns out, was a law school classmate of my dad’s—and even had the carrel next to him. That moment of generational connection, the recognition that our professional stories weave through time and across families, was particularly special.

In the Second District, I had the chance to reconnect with Cathy Mabbutt. Prior to becoming an attorney, she worked with my mom at Gritman Medical Center.  Her son—like my brother and I—graduated from Moscow High School. Encounters like this remind me how interconnected our professional community truly is.

The Third District offered its own highlight when I was able to hear from Dave Kerrick about his work teaching business at the College of Idaho. His reflections on how he brings his experience into the classroom left me hopeful about the many ways members of our bar enrich their communities.

In the Fourth District, we had an exceptionally engaged discussion about the proposed resolutions. The questions were thoughtful, the debate was lively, and the respect among colleagues was evident. We also heard inspiring remarks from Judge Jill Jurries, who shared her vision for the mediation practice she is launching. Her commitment to fostering resolution and constructive dialogue was perfectly suited to the spirit of the Roadshow.

The Fifth District has become a place where I genuinely feel at home—and not just because my husband was born and raised in Twin Falls. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know Anja Rodriguez and Linda Wells, and reconnecting with them again this year felt like catching up with old friends. It was a special privilege to witness my former fellow commissioner, Laird Stone, receiving the Professionalism Award, a fitting recognition of his exemplary service.

In the Sixth District, I always enjoy visiting with Reed Larsen about his cases and, importantly, about his horses. This year’s Roadshow also gave the board of commissioners the opportunity to travel with Carole Wesenberg in both the Sixth and Seventh Districts.  She has been instrumental in the evolution toward the new NextGen Bar exam, scheduled to debut in July 2026. Her many years of service as a dedicated bar grader lend both continuity and credibility to this transition. My conversations with Carole and Reed routinely wander from work to our lives outside the office, and I treasure that blend of the personal and professional that reminds me of the richness of our statewide community.

And in the Seventh District, I had the pleasure of speaking with Amanda Ulrich, whose investiture was scheduled for the very next day. The energy and optimism were contagious. I also met Payton Hampton, the district bar association president, whose enthusiasm for building community within the district left a lasting impression.

Encounters like these are the heart of the Roadshow. They serve as a reminder that while our workloads are heavy and our calendars full, the bonds we share as members of this profession must be nurtured intentionally. These relationships sustain us—professionally, personally, and ethically. I hope each of you will continue participating in these gatherings, not only for the updates and the resolutions, but for the chance to strengthen the fabric of our statewide community.

As I look ahead to the final stretch of my term on the board of commissioners, I find myself reflecting with deep gratitude. Serving the members of the bar has been one of the great honors of my career. I have been privileged to work alongside extraordinary board members—leaders who care deeply about the profession and who bring thoughtfulness, dedication, and integrity to every decision. Their example has been inspiring, and their partnership has made this work a joy.

Thank you for the trust you have placed in me, for the conversations we have shared, and for the work you do every day to uphold the values of our profession. I will carry these memories—and these connections—with me long after my term ends.

Kristin Bjorkman is the current President of the Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners, representing the Fourth District. She is a second-generation Idaho attorney whose practice focuses on real estate, commercial finance, and business transactions. Her interest in law began as a teen when her father paused his career in education to attend law school at the University of Idaho.