First Monday (Special Edition) - August 9, 2010

Third-Year Law Program Prepares for August Opening in Boise

Written by Ysabel Bilbao

BOISE, Idaho – The verdict is in. The American Bar Association (ABA) has affirmed that the University of Idaho can start its third-year law program in Idaho’s capital. The decision, made by the Council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, follows a favorable recommendation by the ABA Accreditation Committee.

“We are pleased with the American Bar Association’s affirmation of our third-year program in Boise,” said President Duane Nellis. “The University of Idaho College of Law has been a vital part of the Gem State for more than a century, producing leaders who shaped the state’s development. We’re proud that our graduates are deeply rooted in the knowledge of what Idaho needs and continue to step into roles that move our citizenry and state forward.”

Classes will begin in late August. The University of Idaho Boise center will house approximately 27 students in the inaugural academic year. Idaho’s College of Law has served the state for more than 100 years, and now its public legal education program will be expanding its services as part of a statewide mission to the southern part of Idaho. 

“The third year program in Boise will enhance opportunities for our students and will enable our faculty to provide more direct service to state government, the legal profession, the business community and the public,” said College Dean Don Burnett.

The long-range vision for Idaho’s public College of Law, in collaboration with the Idaho Supreme Court, is to develop an Idaho Law Learning Center in Boise. This center will be home to the university’s legal educational program, the Idaho State Law Library, judicial education offices and public outreach programs.

Burnett said the vision is to extend public legal education to Boise while maintaining the current program established in Moscow more than a century ago.

“The third year program in Boise will complement the program in Moscow by emphasizing business law, entrepreneurism and economic development,” Burnett explained. “The full three-year program in Moscow will continue with long-standing emphases in natural resources and environmental law, Native American law, public lands and dispute resolution.”

Professor Wendy Gerwick Couture and Tax Clinic instructor Barbara Lock have been hired for the start of this academic year. Couture has a wide background in business and corporate law, and Lock is an experienced federal tax practitioner. The third-year branch program is directed by Lee Dillion, associate dean for Boise programs, who also directs a small business legal clinic. The first third-year law class in Boise will begin on Monday, Aug.  23.   

The University of Idaho College of Law has been accredited by the ABA since 1925 and is the only accredited law school in the State of Idaho.

THIS NEWS RELEASE HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS:

Media Contact: Ysabel Bilbao, University Communications, (208) 334-2252, cell: (208) 989-8855, media cell: (208) 310-9736, ybilbao@uidaho.edu.