June 2021 First Monday

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Graduation season is always joyous and bittersweet.  

We join with families and friends to celebrate the accomplishments of students we have come to care for deeply as we watched them grow over their three years with us. And, we begin to say goodbye to them as their attention turns to preparation for the bar and for practice.  

This year’s graduation was particularly poignant as it brought together a community that has continued its work while being separated for more than a year. It was also the final ceremony led by Dean Jerrold Long, who has worked tirelessly for the college over the last three years and made every effort to ensure my transition is as seamless as possible. I am fully aware that I have big shoes to fill, and I’m grateful for Jerry’s continued support and friendship, even as I wish him well on the many fishing days he has planned for the summer. 

I have received a warm welcome from the college’s incredible leadership team and its dedicated faculty and staff. And, I’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from you, our alumni and supporters.   

I hope the summer will offer many opportunities for us to meet in person – but in the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out. I know I’ll benefit from your perspective and counsel as I begin my journey.

John Ford Elsaesser Receives the Sheldon A. Vincenti Award for Exemplary Service

John Ford Elsaesser is a proud Vandal, receiving a Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1977. He joined the college only a year after Dean Vincenti and learned from and knew him well. “Ford” found success quickly, and rapidly developed a reputation as one of the nation’s leading bankruptcy attorneys. His professional successes are such that the College of Law has already awarded him our Faculty Award of Legal Merit, an award created to honor our must successful alums, and the University inducted him into the Alumni Hall of Fame in 2016.

For over two decades, Ford has provided selfless service to the college. Before “retiring” this year, he taught our Bankruptcy course for 20 years, regularly making the trek south from Sandpoint to teach our students in person. He has supported our students and the bankruptcy moot court team with both his time and treasure, serving as their coach for many years, and personally providing the financial support needed for them to attend the national competition. He coached them to a national championship in 2001, and to the best brief award in 2016.

Ford has also provided countless hours of pro bono service to assist our legal aid clinics, including donating his time as the bankruptcy trustee during a complex and drawn-out class action lawsuit filed on behalf of the residents of the now closed Syringa community, just outside of Moscow. He has also provided countless hours of service to the college formally on our advisory council, and informally as a good friend and mentor to several faculty members and deans. Ford is truly deserving of this acknowledgement.

Hon. Bart M. Davis Honored with Faculty Award of Legal Merit

The Faculty Award of Legal Merit recognizes the outstanding contribution of a University of Idaho College of Law graduate whose career exemplifies the best in the legal profession. This annual award is determined by a vote of the law faculty and is based on demonstrated standards of 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, or national interests.

This year’s recipient of the University of Idaho College of Law Faculty Award of Legal Merit is the Honorable Bart M. Davis, an individual who has through competence, integrity, and leadership helped lay the foundation of the Idaho legal community. Bart is a former United States Attorney for the District of Idaho, former Idaho State Senate majority leader, and graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law, class of 1980. Bart served on the College of Law Advisory Council 2007-2013.

While he has undoubtedly been an incredibly successful lawyer, what stands out is Bart’s civility and kindness, to all who cross his path. His support was instrumental to our successful expansion in Boise and our presence in the Idaho Law and Justice Learning Center. The successes we continue to enjoy in our capital city are due to his efforts as much as any other individual. We should all be grateful for this enduring legacy.