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