May 3, 2016 - First Monday
Elsaesser and Dale to Receive Alumni Awards at May Commencement
Two College of Law alums will be recognized during the May commencement ceremony. First, J. Ford Elsaesser ’77 of Sandpoint, Idaho, has been selected by the University of Idaho Alumni Association as the Hall of Fame recipient for 2016.
This award recognizes alumni who have achieved national or international distinction by their accomplishments and leadership. Consideration is given for: distinction in career accomplishments; leadership within career organizations; voluntary leadership efforts in charitable causes; leadership efforts which have improved the cultural, social, political or economic well-being of society; prior recognition and honors; and artistic, innovative or technical accomplishments. Ford excels in every one of these areas.
Ford is a partner in the law firm of Elsaesser Jarzabek Anderson Elliot & Macdonald in Sandpoint. He is national leader in the bankruptcy field, receiving numerous national awards and serving as a leader in important regional and national professional organizations.
Ford has received the Faculty Award of Legal Merit from the College of Law, as well as the Professionalism Award and the Pro Bono Award from the Idaho State Bar Commercial and Bankruptcy Section.
At UI, Ford made an impact on generations of bankruptcy attorneys through his work as an adjunct professor, teaching bankruptcy and related courses. He has also been a longtime coach and advisor of the Bankruptcy Moot Court team. The team competes in the national Duberstein Moot Court Competition at St. John’s University School of Law. Ford is an emeritus member of the College of Law Advisory Council.
Ford is one of the most distinguished College of Law graduates and I look forward to sharing time with him at the Hall of Fame induction.
Federal Magistrate Judge Candy Dale ’82 has been selected by the College of Law faculty to receive the 2016 College of Law Faculty Award of Legal Merit.
The Award of Legal Merit recognizes the outstanding contribution of an Idaho law graduate whose career exemplifies the best in the legal profession. The award is determined by a vote of the faculty and is based on the individual’s integrity, competence, service and leadership through work as a legal practitioner, service to the legal profession, service to the community, or service to business/state/national interests.
Judge Candy Wagahoff Dale was appointed United States Magistrate Judge for Idaho in 2008 after being a trial lawyer in Idaho for over 25 years. She served as Chief Magistrate Judge from October 2008 through September 2015.
Judge Dale has served the College of Law as a guest lecturer, mentor in our incoming law student professionalism program and as a member of the College of Law Advisory Council. Judge Dale received the 2014 Justice for All Award from the Diversity Section of the Idaho State Bar, and the 2010 Kate Feltham Award from the Idaho Women Lawyers.
Judge Dale exemplifies the best in the legal profession and we are very proud to have her as one of our distinguished alumni.
Upcoming Events
Northwest Institute for Dispute Resolution
May 16-20, 2016
Basic Family Mediation – Boise
Basic Civic Mediation – Moscow
Spring Commencement
May 14, 2016 – Moscow
May 16, 2016 – Boise
Idaho Teachers' Institute on Law
Idaho Law and Justice Learning Center
June 9-10, 2016
This has been a busy month for college events and outreach. I was in Boise on April 20 to participate in the Downtown Boise Association’s 29th State of Downtown Boise Annual Meeting. I was one of several speakers who spoke about the advantages of being a part of the growth and success of downtown. Mayor Dave Bieter, a 1984 College of Law graduate, was the keynote speaker at the event.
Terri Muse, assistant dean for external relations, and I hosted “Meet the Dean” events in Seattle and Olympia, Washington, on April 11 and 12. I had to return to Moscow to attend the State Board of Education meeting and so associate dean Lee Dillion joined Terri for the final event in Portland, Oregon, on April 12. As always, I continue to be impressed with our alumni and the diverse and successful career paths they have followed as a result of their College of Law experience. Thank you to Chris Nicoll ’80 in Seattle and Danielle Hunsaker ’04 in Portland for hosting events at their respective firms.
The college hosted a reception for Don Burnett at the Idaho Law and Justice Learning Center on April 21 in honor of his upcoming retirement. Over 100 friends, family and members of the Idaho legal community came to celebrate with Don. Lt. Gov. Brad Little presented a proclamation issued by Gov. Otter’s office proclaiming April 21, 2016, as “Donald L. Burnett Jr. Appreciation Day.” A highlight of the evening was the announcement that one of the third floor classrooms has been designated the “Donald L. Burnett Jr. Law Classroom.”
College of Law Advisory Council Selects New Members
The College of Law Advisory Council held its spring meeting in Boise on April 22. The council heard updates on various college activities and spent time in discussion about the University of Idaho’s strategic planning process and how the college should develop its own plan. The council elected new members, a new chair and vice chair, and said thank you to several members whose terms on the council have ended.
Please join me in thanking the following LAC members for their service and welcoming our new members and officers. Special thank you to Chuck Homer for his two year service as chair of the LAC.
Members leaving the LAC: Tore Beal Gwartney ’93; Hon. Larry Boyle ’72; Hon. Daniel Eismann ’76; Chuck Homer ’74; Danielle Hunsaker ’04; Hon. Lawrence Wasden ’85; and William “Bud” Yost ’69.
New members to the LAC: Sean Breen ’93; Hon. Roger Burdick ’74; Laura Burri Brown ’86; Helaman “Helo” Hancock ’05; Hon. Jim Pappas ’77; Jim Meservy ’79; Molly O’Leary ’94; and John Zarian.
LAC Chair – Denny Davis ’77
Vice Chair – Meghan Sullivan Conrad ’04
Inaugural Diversity and Human Rights Awards Presented
I am pleased to announce the recipients of the inaugural Diversity and Human Rights Awards given by the College of Law. This award recognizes those who have “contributed significantly to the diverse and inclusive culture of the College of Law community.” These awards reflect one of the college’s core values that a diverse and inclusive environment is beneficial to the learning environment at the College of Law, to our students and to the legal community.
According to professor David Pimentel, chair of the selection committee, there were a number of outstanding candidates who were nominated this year making the selection process a difficult one for the committee. Our student awards went to third-year students Danielle Mayberry and Vanessa Montoya and the faculty/staff award to professor Angelique EagleWoman. Join me in congratulating these individuals.
