June 6, 2016 - First Monday

Here we are at the end of another academic year. I can’t believe how time has flown by; this month I will celebrate two full years as your dean. As I never tire of saying, I am proud to be a part of the College of Law and honored to lead our accomplished faculty and staff as we continue to be a successful legal education institution.

One more example of our institutional leadership came to my attention recently: We were ranked among the top 20 law schools for employment outcomes in the recent law school employment outcomes report from the American Bar Association. In a national climate of challenging job placement rates for new law graduates, this is truly outstanding for us.

Here a few other highlights from the past month:

Northwest Institute for Dispute Resolution Celebrates 20th Anniversary

The Northwest Institute for Dispute Resolution celebrates its 20th year at the College of Law in 2016. Three programs were held in May covering basic family law mediation, basic civil mediation, and the Role of Apology, Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Advocacy and Mediation. In Boise, 13 students and 11 professionals attended the family mediation course at the Idaho Law and Justice Learning Center, led by Bob Collins, adjunct professor and director of the Divorce Mediation Clinic at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Also held in Boise at the federal courthouse, 12 professional attended the Role of Apology, Forgiveness and Reconciliation led by Peter Robinson from Pepperdine University. Finally, in Moscow, the basic civil mediation training was attended by 14 students and 12 professionals. This program was led by Lela Love, director of the Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, and Joseph Stulberg, professor at Ohio State University Mortiz College of Law.

We are very proud of the long history of the NW Institute and the leadership and guidance provided by Maureen Laflin, director of clinical programs and professor of law. Professor Laflin began the program for the College of Law and has seen it grow and prosper over the years.

2016 College of Law Commencement

This May, we celebrated spring commencement in Moscow and in Boise as part of the UI Boise commencement ceremony. A total of 103 students participated in the ceremonies. In Moscow, we welcomed Judge Michael W. Mosman, chief district judge for the U.S. District Court, District of Oregon, who delivered the law commencement address. Judge Mosman was appointed to the federal bench in 2003 and became chief judge in February 2016. Judge Mosman received his law degree in 1984 from Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School. Our outgoing SBA president, Linda Wells, provided remarks and introduced Judge Mosman. President Chuck Staben and I offered welcoming remarks to the students and their family and friends.

Several honors and awards were presented and recognized to students, faculty and alumni at the commencement ceremony.

Faculty Award of Legal Merit - Judge Candy Wagahoff Dale '82

This award recognizes the outstanding contribution of an Idaho law graduate whose career exemplifies the best in the legal profession. This award is determined by a vote of the law faculty.

University of Idaho Alumni Hall of Fame - J. Ford Elsaesser '77

This award recognizes alumni who have achieved national or international distinction by their accomplishments and leadership.

Faculty Award of Legal Achievement - Patrick Fackrell '16

This award is presented to the graduating student with the highest cumulative grade point average and honors the student’s outstanding dedication and success in the pursuit of academic excellence.

Peter E. Heiser Award for Excellence in Teaching - Professor Wendy Gerwick Couture

This award is determined by a vote of the graduating class and recognizes outstanding dedication to students at the College of Law.

College of Law Adds Boise State University to 3 & 3 Program

I am pleased to announce that the College of Law has added BSU to our list of undergraduate institutions where students can enter law school after completing 3 years of their undergraduate degree. We have existing relationships with University of Idaho, College of Idaho and BYU Idaho and welcome this new agreement with BSU. Certain requirements apply for a student to qualify for the 3 & 3 program and admission to the College of Law.  More information about the 3 & 3 Program.

First Monday will take the usual summer hiatus for July. Watch for our August edition with information about plans for the fall semester. Have a great summer and I hope the season includes opportunities for rest, relaxation and fun!

Mark L. Adams
Dean

Upcoming Events

Idaho Teacher’s Institute on Law
Idaho Law and Justice Learning Center - Boise
Monday and Tuesday, June 9-10

Class of 1966 Class Reunion
Saturday, Aug. 19
Boise
For more information contact Terri Muse, Assistant Dean for External Relations, at tmuse@uidaho.edu or 208-364-4044

Fall 2016 Classes Begin
Monday, Aug. 22

Class of 1976 Class Reunion
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10
Boise
For more information contact Terri Muse, Assistant Dean for External Relations, at tmuse@uidaho.edu or 208-364-4044

Class of 1986 Class Reunion
Friday and Saturday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1
Boise
For more information contact Terri Muse, Assistant Dean for External Relations, at tmuse@uidaho.edu or 208-364-4044