Idaho Women Lawyers Idaho Women Lawyers working for the benefit of all under represented groups in Idaho

All: 

For the past few years, I’ve been involved in representing the U.S. District Courts for the District of Idaho in the Ninth Circuit, first as a Lawyer Representative (3 year term) and more recently being elected to serve as an officer of the group that oversees all 170+ lawyer representatives in the Ninth Circuit.  It has been an amazing opportunity that has allowed me great access to our federal bench in Idaho and throughout the Circuit.  Our court is currently soliciting applications from the 4th District for a lawyer representative — this person will take over for out-going lawyer rep Steve Anderson.  A lawyer rep serves for 3 years and is expected to: (1) attend quarterly meetings with the Board of Judges of the federal court; (2) help plan and execute the annual federal court road show; and (3) attend the Ninth Circuit’s annual judicial conference (and, as a senior lawyer rep, help plan some of the programs).  All of your expenses are reimbursed by the court.  This year the Ninth Circuit’s conference is in Maui and next year its in San Diego — it’s a good gig!

If you have any interest in applying, feel free to talk to me about it and/or check out this website:

http://www.id.uscourts.gov/announcements/LawRepNotice2010.pdf

Thanks!

Deb Kristensen

Givens Pursley, LLP

208.388-1200

Click here to view the transcript from IWL’s luncheon with Governor Otter that was held on July 13, 2010.

Click on image to view letter.

IWL is excited to announce that our very own Wendy Olson, one of the board of directors for IWL, was nominated today by President Obama to serve as United States Attorney for Idaho.  This was one of two nominations made by the President today for such a position.  To see more about this nomination and Wendy’s   Please click this link for more information: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-nominates-justice-thomas-delahanty-ii-and-wendy-olson-be-united-sta. 

Congratulations Wendy!

Five employees of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Idaho, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wendy Olson (IWL Board Member) and Traci Whelan, have been honored with the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement for their work on the Joseph Duncan case, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced today. All five were part of the Duncan prosecution team; in addition to the two attorneys, those honored included Paralegal Specialist Denise Price, Litigation Support Specialist Pam Rocca, and Victim-Witness Specialist Kristi Johnson. “It is my privilege to honor these recipients for their outstanding service and commitment to our country,” Holder said. “Their varied accomplishments have advanced the interests of justice on behalf of the American people, and I’m proud to call them my colleagues.”

Duncan was given three death sentences plus multiple life prison terms in federal court in Idaho for his 2005 attack on the Groene family in Coeur d’Alene, which left four family members dead and which just one 8-year-old child survived.

This article appeared in the Spokane Review “Eye on Boise” on Thursday, October 22nd.  See http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/

Welcome to the re-designed Idaho Women Lawyers website! Our goal for this website is to make it your first resource. IWL has over 90 members and is growing every month. Our members include prominent attorneys practicing in all areas of the law, State Bar and government leaders, and educators. This is a great opportunity to connect with the talent of our membership and gain invaluable professional contacts and friendships across the state.

IWL offers many opportunities to get involved in statewide activities like our 2009 Annual Bar presentation on Title IX. Board member Wendy Olson is leading the project and she welcomes your contribution to the effort. Check out Wendy’s summary of the last meeting under the Events tab for details on how to get involved. Our past President, Deb Nelson, is also leading the yearly Legislative reception - an informal after work gathering to meet and talk with the women serving Idaho in the legislature - which we hope to schedule in February or March. This is a unique and enjoyable evening, offering you the opportunity to get to know these remarkable women. Stay tuned for the date and details which will be posted under the Events tab. IWL also holds a monthly luncheon presentation on a variety of topics. In February we’re planning to have a legislator from each political party join us and in April a financial specialist is coming to talk about planning in this troublesome economic environment. When the dates are set we’ll post them so check back.

Over the last couple of years, thanks to the hard work of Mary Huneycutt, the first IWL chapter was formed for those who live and practice on the eastern side of the state. Mary motivated and organized several women to form the chapter. Eastern IWL is putting together a curriculum for junior high and high school students encouraging young women to pursue legal careers. If you want to get involved with that effort, contact Mary whose email address can be found under the Leadership tab.

Please take advantage of this website. With your participation, we can make this an ongoing community conversation about life, work, and everything in between. We want you to share your wisdom, your stories, and your reflections. Post your articles and ideas. Express your opinions. Where the conversation goes is really up to each of us.

All the best,
Peg Dougherty
IWL President

Women, whether subtly or vociferously, have always been a tremendous power in the destiny of the world.
~Eleanor Roosevelt