First Monday - March 1, 2004

In this issue:

• College of Law Rated Top Value in the Northwest
• Third Annual Rosholt Roundtable Features Securities Lawyer/CEO
• College Hosts Regional Conferences on Indian Law
• College Welcomes New Director of Development
• College to Offer Symposia in Coeur d'Alene and Boise

College of Law Rated Top Value in the Northwest

The Winter 2004 edition of "preLaw" magazine identifies law schools representing "best schools for your money" in light of six objective criteria: 2002-03 tuition levels, bar passage rates, employment rates for graduates, median amounts of scholarship grants, "slots" available for students in clinical programs, and faculty-student ratios. The magazine uses data from the American Bar Association - Law School Admissions Council "Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools" to rate law schools. The University of Idaho College of Law is rated an "excellent value," making it the most highly rated public or private institution in the Northwest. (Two other law schools throughout the West, the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University and the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona, are rated at the same level; no Western school receives a higher rating.) Copies of the magazine article are available from Dean Burnett (dburnett@uidaho.edu).

Third Annual Rosholt Roundtable Features Securities Lawyer/CEO

This year's Rosholt Roundtable for Visiting Professionals recently featured a lawyer who served as CEO of an Idaho corporation with multinational operations. On February 4, John S. Simko (UI law class of 1966) met with students interested in international law, business law, and entrepreneurism. In addition, he guest-lectured in the Securities Law class. Currently a partner at Moffatt, Thomas, Barrett, Rock & Fields, Chtd., in Boise, Mr. Simko discussed current trends in securities law and practice as well as his earlier career as counsel for, and ultimately Chairman and CEO of, the Sunshine Mining and Refining Company. The Roundtable, established by John and Karen Rosholt, gives students an opportunity to learn about career opportunities and life after law school from individuals who have put their J.D. degrees to successful use outside the traditional practice of law. Further information is available from Dean Burnett or Mr. Rosholt (jar@idahowaters.com).

College Hosts Regional Conferences on Indian Law

On February 5 and 6, the College of Law hosted two separate Indian Law conferences with participants from as far as South Dakota, Colorado and Nevada. In conjunction with the Indian Land Working Group, a "fee-to-trust" strategy session was held on the 5th. Discussions focused on the process by which fee lands acquired by Indian tribes and individuals are taken into trust by the United States. On the 6th, the College hosted the first-ever joint meeting of the Northwest Indian Bar Association and the Indian Law Sections of the Washington, Idaho and Oregon Bars. Four panels addressed current developments in Indian law, a proposal to incorporate Indian law topics into state bar examinations, careers and law school choices for students interests in Indian law, and reservation economic development. The conferences were coordinated primarily by Douglas Nash, Associate Professor of Law and James E. Rogers Fellow in American Indian Law at the University of Idaho. Professor Nash, who is president-elect of the National Native American Bar Association, expects the College of Law to become a venue of choice for future symposia on Indian law.

College Welcomes New Director of Development

Michele R. Bartlett (UI law class of 1996) has joined the law school's professional staff as Director of Development. Prior to accepting this position, Ms. Bartlett served as a Deputy Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Unit, Civil Litigation Division, of the Idaho Attorney General's Office. She is the incoming President of the Boise (Fourth District) Bar Association. Her professional activities have included the Family Advocate Program, chairing the Fourth District Bar's "Law Day" Program, and serving as coordinator of the Bar's School Outreach Program. Ms. Bartlett also has served as President of the Junior League of Boise, Inc., acting as chief operation officer of the organization and raising money from private donors and institutional grant sources for civic projects. Her position with the College of Law will be full-time, operating from an office in the University of Idaho Boise Center (telephone 208-364-4044). Ms. Bartlett succeeds Chandra Zenner Ford, who ably served the law school on a part-time basis and is continuing her part-time work for the UI College of Business and Economics.

College to Offer Symposia in Coeur d'Alene and Boise

The reconstruction of postwar Iraq, and current controversies in media law, will receive scholarly attention in two upcoming symposia organized by College of Law faculty and students.

Post-Conflict Justice: From Malmédy to Halabja

The College's second annual International Law Symposium will assemble national and international scholars to discuss the administration of justice after a major armed conflict. Drawing lessons from the International Military Tribunal at Nuremburg after World War II, the symposium will address current issues in post-conflict justice, including the situation in Iraq. Representatives of the U.S. Department of State and the Coalition Provisional Authority of Iraq are expected to participate. The symposium will be held in Coeur d'Alene on March 18-20, 2004.

First Amendment and the Media: Exploring Contemporary Legal Problems Facing America

This year's Idaho Law Review Annual Symposium will be held at the MK Plaza in Boise, Idaho, on April 2, 2004, from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Media law, communication, and constitutional experts will speak on topics including the Freedom of Information Act after 9-11, and First Amendment issues in Idaho. Members of the bar are invited to attend.