Judging Our Legal Education

One of the five core focus areas for the Idaho Law Foundation’s Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Program is programming led by Idaho’s judiciary. Over the last three years, 30 Idaho judges have presented on topics of interest and importance to Idaho’s legal community including the New Attorney Program, Lessons from the Masters, Headline News, and the Mobile Monday CLE series, with many of the judges presenting multiple times.

Participation from the judiciary in Law Foundation sponsored CLEs will continue in 2018. In February, Judges Mayli Walsh (Kootenai County), Greg Kalbfleisch (Nez Perce County) and Thomas Sullivan (Canyon County) will present in Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston and Caldwell, alongside two practitioners, discussing ethical scenarios in an informal lunch setting. Similar sessions will be held in Boise, Twin Falls, Pocatello and Idaho Falls in May. Judges will also play an integral role in Idaho’s New Attorney Program providing new admittees insight of the Court’s jurisdiction and the role of the judiciary at the state and federal levels.

The Idaho Law Foundation’s Deputy Executive Director, Mahmood Sheikh states: “We are fortunate in Idaho to have such an approachable judiciary who make themselves available when called upon. Judges provide a deep level of insight and experience and we often hear from attorneys who attend these CLEs that presentations from the judiciary provide immediate benefits for their legal practices.”

Judge Candy Dale has taught four Law Foundation sponsored classes in the last three years. She believes judges are in a unique position to contribute to the improvement of the legal profession and the administration of justice. She says: “Just as lawyers are encouraged by Professional Conduct Rule 6.1(b)(3) to participate in activities for improving the legal profession, judges are encouraged by our ethical canons to do the same, as long as our impartiality is not compromised.” Judge Dale indicates she has a professional responsibility to share the knowledge and perspectives she has gained as a judge with members of the Bar and with law students, while continuing to educate herself by listening to lawyers and other judges.

Attorneys who have attended judge led sessions indicate that the involvement of the Judiciary enhances the spirit of collegiality and professionalism within Idaho’s Bar. It is no surprise presentations by members of the judiciary continue to be highly rated and strongly supported in post CLE evaluations. The Idaho Law Foundation is grateful to our Judiciary for their involvement in our legal education programs and look forward to continuing this partnership for the benefit of Idaho attorneys in the year to come.

Continuing Legal Education from Idaho’s Judiciary

The Idaho Law Foundation would like to thank the many Idaho judges who have presented Continuing Legal Education for Idaho attorneys over the last three years.

Magistrates

Scott Axline, Bannock County

Calvin Campbell, Twin Falls County

James Cawthon, Ada County

Russell Comstock, Ada County

Michelle Evans, Nez Perce County

Theresa Gardunia, Ada County

David Manweiler, Ada County

Mike Oths, Ada County

Clark Peterson, Kootenai County

Jayme Sullivan, Canyon County

Steven Thomsen, Bannock County

Appellate Judges

Roger Burdick, Idaho Supreme Court

Robyn Brody, Idaho Supreme Court

Molly Huskey, Idaho Court of Appeals

John Melanson, Idaho Court of Appeals

District Judges

Deborah Bail, Fourth Judicial District

Jeff Brudie, Second Judicial District

Jay Gaskill, Second Judicial District

Richard Greenwood, Fourth Judicial District

Timothy Hansen, Fourth Judicial District

Juneal Kerrick, Third Judicial District

Melissa Moody, Fourth Judicial District

Jason Scott, Fourth Judicial District

Jon Shindurling, Seventh Judicial District

Darren Simpson, Seventh Judicial District

Susan Wiebe, Third Judicial District

Federal Judges

Ronald Bush, U.S District Court of Idaho

Candy Dale, U.S. District Court of Idaho

Randy Smith, U.S. Court of Appeals

Mikel Williams, U.S District Court of Idaho