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.

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!

Be sure to read Idaho Legal History Society’s recent newsletter with a great article about Helen Young, the first woman admitted to practice law in Idaho.

View Article Here.

Click here to view the letter: iwl-to-otter-re-wiebe-appointment

Data shows Women Disproportionately Affected by Dismissals of Part-Time Attorneys; Confirm Few Women Among Top Firm Rainmakers.

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS134533+26-Oct-2009+BW20091026

Givens Pursley partner Deb Kristensen has been recognized in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for Labor and Employment Law.

Deb is a general business litigator in state and federal courts, with a particular emphasis in the areas of employment and media law. Deb received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California Berkeley, her J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law, and she is “AV rated” (as determined by Martindale-Hubble’s peer review process). Deb is the former President of the Idaho State Bar Association and Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Conference of the U.S. Courts.

Click here for an interesting article about IWL member and former Bar Commission president, Deb Kristensen, in her new role as president of the Idaho Legal History Society.  The Society is working hard to preserve Idaho’s oral judicial history through depositions of Idaho judges and others.

On January 9, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed two key fair pay bills we’ve been fighting for. What a way to start off the new year!

The bills passed by the House — the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act — provide women with critical tools to challenge pay discrimination.

But the fight isn’t over yet. President-Elect Obama is ready to sign both bills into law during his first few days in office. But before that can happen, the Senate needs to pass pay equity legislation, too.

Please contact your Senators now and tell them that women can’t wait! Our economy is crumbling, and we need fair pay legislation now more than ever.

You can e-mail your Senators, or call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Ask the operator to connect you to your Senators. When you’re connected to their offices, tell the person who answers the phone:

1. I am a constituent. My name is ____________.
2. I urge you to vote in favor of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act, to invoke cloture on both bills, and to oppose any weakening amendments.
3. Thank you for supporting fair pay for women.

It feels wonderful to be so close to victory! Thank you again for your support at this historic moment.

Sincerely,

Jocelyn Samuels
Vice President for Education and Employment
National Women’s Law Center