First Monday - May 2, 2005

In this issue:

• Rosholt Roundtable Features Distinguished Alumna, Focuses on Modern Role of Corporate Counsel
• Law Professor Receives University-Wide Award for Outstanding Scholarship
• Idaho Court of Appeals Holds Oral Arguments, Participates in Special Programs for Students
• Ninth Circuit Judge Speaks on Appellate Advocacy and Professional Responsibility
• Nobel Laureate Makes Courtroom Presentation

Rosholt Roundtable Features Distinguished Alumna, Focuses on Modern Role of Corporate Counsel

On March 9, the Fourth Annual John A. Rosholt Roundtable for Visiting Professionals featured Lucinda Weiss (UI Law ’73), recently retired corporate counsel for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio. Ms. Weiss (who was honored the next day in Boise as one of Idaho’s “first fifty” women admitted to the Idaho State Bar), spoke about her trail-blazing career as well as challenges currently facing lawyers in the role of corporate counsel. She noted particularly the wide range of subject-matter expertise now demanded of corporate counsel, including international law, and the importance of corporate counsel in establishing a culture of ethical conduct within an organization. Ms. Weiss also delivered a guest lecture in a securities law class and visited informally with students throughout the day. This unique interchange between law students and visiting professionals is made possible each year by an endowment created by John Rosholt (UI Law ’64) and Karen (Fisher) Rosholt of Twin Falls, Idaho. Further information about the Rosholt Roundtable is available from Anne-Marie Fulfer, Director of Career Services (amfulfer@uidaho.edu) or from Dean Burnett (dburnett@uidaho.edu).

Law Professor Receives University-Wide Award for Outstanding Scholarship

On April 13, Professor Dale Goble received the University of Idaho’s top award for Excellence in Research or Creative Activity. Professor Goble, the first law professor ever to receive this particular award, is a national authority on natural resources law and policy, with special expertise in wildlife law, the federal Endangered Species Act, and the interactions between natural ecologies and human communities. In bestowing the excellence award, the University noted Professor Goble’s achievements in connecting interdisciplinary research with development of public policy. In prior years, the University has bestowed awards on law faculty for excellence in teaching (Elizabeth Brandt, 1999) and for faculty achievement (Dennis Colson, 1992). Further information about all members of the law faculty can be found on the College of Law website.

Idaho Court of Appeals Holds Oral Arguments, Participates in Special Programs for Law Students

On April 19-21, the Idaho Court of Appeals conducted oral arguments in the College of Law courtroom. The cases included matters argued by third-year students in the Legal Aid Clinic, directed by Professor Maureen Laflin. In addition, Chief Judge Darrel Perry (UI Law ’79), Judges Karen Lansing and Sergio Gutierrez, and Judge pro tem (retired Supreme Court Justice) Jesse Walters (UI Law ’63) made guest presentations in classrooms and the courtroom. The judges also met with students in informal settings, discussing careers in the legal profession and other topics of individual interest. The law school community places a high value on this collegial working relationship with the Court of Appeals. Further information about the Court of Appeals’ visit is available from Professor Laflin at mlaflin@uidaho.edu.

Ninth Circuit Judge Speaks on Appellate Advocacy and Professional Responsibility

Judge Stephen Trott of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, visited the College of Law on March 9. In addition to making a special courtroom presentation to law students on oral advocacy, he delivered a guest lecture in the Professional Responsibility course. Drawing upon his experience on the federal appellate court, and upon his prior work as a California state and federal prosecutor, Judge Trott placed special emphasis on the ethical constraints and duties of counsel on both sides in criminal cases. Further information about Judge Trott’s visit is available from Dean Burnett at dburnett@uidaho.edu.

Nobel Laureate Makes Courtroom Presentation

On April 20, the law school community had a unique opportunity to hear from a Nobel Peace Prize winner: Jody Williams. Founder of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), Ms. Williams spearheaded the effort to bring about the international treaty banning anti-personnel landmines. During her informal presentation in the College of Law courtroom, she noted that landmines differ from other weapons in that they kill or injure noncombatants long after armed conflict has concluded. She traced the process by which the treaty was developed and ultimately adopted by more than 140 nations to date. Ms. Williams’s appearance at the College of Law was connected with her presentation later that evening as the keynote speaker at the University of Idaho Borah Symposium, “Voices of Peace.” Ms. Williams was introduced at the evening presentation by Professor Monica Schurtman, supervising attorney for the Immigration Law and Tribal Law Clinics at the College of Law. Professor Schurtman had been involved with Human Rights Watch when that organization collaborated with ICBL on the landmine treaty, and she drafted language that eventually found its way into the final treaty. Further information about Ms. Williams’ visit to the University may be obtained from Professor Schurtman (monicas@uidaho.edu) or from Professor and Law Library Director John Hasko (jhasko@uidaho.edu).