When a Lawsuit Rewrites the Rules: Impact Litigation and Cases that Shape Constitutional Rights
Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation & Attorneys for Civic Education
Thursday, September 17, 2026
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (MT)
State Capitol Building – Lincoln Auditorium
*Live Stream available on Idaho Public Radio
1.5 CLE credits, including 0.5 Ethics credits
Registration Donation:
Idaho Attorneys: minimum donation $25
General Public: suggested donation $10
Students and Teachers: Free
All proceeds from registration fees and donations go to the Idaho Law Foundation for civic education programs. A recording of the event will be available at a future date.
Contact Carey Shoufler at cshoufler@isb.idaho.gov with questions
Join the Idaho Law Foundation and Attorneys for Civic Education in celebration of Constitution Day for a panel discussion on impact litigation: lawsuits designed not just to win one case, but to change the rules for everyone. From landmark cases to legal battles unfolding right now, our panel of experts will explore how courtroom fights have expanded, defined, and defended Constitutional rights throughout American history, and how they continue to shape our democracy today. Bringing together perspectives from law, history, government, and advocacy, the panel will examine how ordinary cases become extraordinary turning points, and what that means for the future of the rights we all share.
Moderator
Kolby Redish: Kolby serves as Deputy Division Administrator and Chief Legal Counsel for the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses. He has worked as an attorney in all three branches of Idaho State Government and has also taught as an adjunct professor of law. His appreciation for public service has led to more than a decade of involvement with Attorneys for Civic Education, an organization dedicated to advancing civic education throughout Idaho.
Speakers
- Jim Jones: Jim Jones is a native Idahoan who grew up in the Magic Valley. He got his law degree in 1967 and spent the next 55 years in public service and private law. He served in the Army in Vietnam, as legislative assistant to Idaho Senator Len Jordan in Washington, D.C, as Idaho’s Attorney General and as a Justice on the Idaho Supreme Court. In between times, he practiced law in Jerome and Boise. He now writes a weekly column on Idaho politics.
- Wendy J. Olson: Wendy is a partner in Stoel Rives’ Litigation practice. She served in the United States Department of Justice for twenty-five years, including five as a trial attorney, thirteen as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Idaho, and seven as the United States Attorney for the District of Idaho. Wendy is a Pocatello native and proud graduate of Pocatello High School.
- Randy Stapilus: Randy is a long-time writer on Northwest government and politics, and his weekly columns appear in Idaho and Oregon newspapers. He is also an author and publisher of books on Northwest subjects at Ridenbaugh Press. A resident of Idaho for about 30 years, he now lives in Carlton, Oregon.
