Bruce Owens Appointed to Idaho Judicial Council

June 15, 2017

BOISE – The Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners has selected attorney R. Bruce Owens of Hayden to serve a six-year term on the Idaho Judicial Council to replace Joel Hazel of Coeur d’Alene. The appointment is subject to the consent of the Idaho State Senate.

Mr. Owens practices law at Owens, McCrea & Linscott, PLLC in Hayden, and has a specialization certificate in civil litigation from the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association and the Idaho State Bar. He has tried cases in all seven judicial districts. Owens has served as president of both the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. and the Idaho Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Owens has also served as a member of the American Association of Justice and the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association.

The Idaho Judicial Council nominates persons for appointments to the Idaho Supreme Court, Idaho Court of Appeals, and district courts.

In its disciplinary capacity, the Council may investigate complaints against justices, court of appeals judges or judges of the district courts or magistrate divisions, and members of the Industrial Commission. In appropriate cases it may recommend to the Supreme Court the removal, discipline or retirement of a justice, judge, or magistrate judge who have violated the Code of Judicial Conduct.

There are six permanent members of the Idaho Judicial Council. Three are appointed by the Idaho State Bar and three are appointed by the governor. The Chief Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court serves as ex-officio chairman of the Council and one magistrate judge serves as an adjunct member. In addition to Mr. Owens, the Bar’s appointees are: Reed Larsen, Pocatello, and the Hon. Tom Ryan, Caldwell. The Governor’s appointees are: Philip Reberger, Boise; Elizabeth Chavez, Lewiston; and Kathy Simpson, Idaho Falls.