The law firm of Worst, Fitzgerald & Stover, PLLC is pleased to welcome Kara M. Gleckler to the firm as an associate attorney. Kara received her bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University where she obtained the distinction of valedictorian. She received her Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from the University of Idaho, College of Law in 2007, graduating first in her class. Before joining Worst, Fitzgerald & Stover,Kara served as a law clerk for the Honorable John Bradbury of the Second Judicial District Court.

Jean R. Uranga, a partner with Uranga & Uranga, has been named one of the Top 40 Women by Mountain States Super Lawyers. This honor is given to women lawyers who received the highest point totals in the 2009 Mountain States Super Lawyers nomination, research and review process. Uranga was also named by her peers as a Super Lawyer in family law. She was also recognized by the Best Lawyers In America for 2009 and 2010 in family law and family law mediation. She is “AV rated” as determined by Martindale- Hubble’s peer review process. Uranga is a former Idaho State Bar commissioner and former president of the Idaho State Bar.

Cox Law PLLC announced that Sean C. Beaver has joined the firm as an associate. A native of Boise, Sean graduated from Whitman College with a Bachelors Degree in 2005 and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School in 2009. Sean will be focusing his practice in Criminal, Family and Civil trial matters. Sean has already been very involved in the Firm’s criminal defense practice. He has already appeared in District Court Felony proceedings, represented Clients in Ada County’s Drug Court, and filed several motions created and composed by him. He has also been busy meeting with Clients for family law matters and dividing assets in divorce proceedings.

Terri Pickens, Pickens Law, PA Boise, was nominated by the Fourth District’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program for her work representing Guardians Ad Litem in child protection cases. The program staff said that Terri “has shown a passionate commitment to children in our community through her representation of CASA/GAL volunteers over the years.” The staff called Terri a “fierce advocate” and that attorneys such as Terri make these services to abused children possible. One particular case Terri handled ended up with the termination of the parents’ rights. Terri committed well over one hundred hours (100) to the case and according the CASA staff she “did a phenomenal job representing her client and the children’s best interests.” Terri says of volunteering with CASA that “it is more than worth your time, its rewarding.”

Mark Geston, Stoel Rives, LLP, Boise, is a civil litigation attorney who volunteered to assist immigrant women and children in Idaho who are victims of domestic violence committed by a United States citizen spouse or parent. These cases are presented using the federal “Violence Against Women Act” (VAWA). VAWA allows immigrant victims to obtain immigration relief without their abuser’s cooperation or knowledge and thereby eliminates the ability of abusers, traffickers, and perpetrators of sexual assault to control their victims with threats of deportation. Since receiving training to provide this kind of work Mark has spent 60 hours preparing immigration filings for two victims of domestic violence whose safety and legal status are being protected through his efforts.

Givens Pursley partner Deb Kristensen has been recognized in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for Labor and Employment Law.  Deb is a general business litigator in state and federal courts, with a particular emphasis in the areas of employment and media law. Deb received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California Berkeley, her J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law, and she is “AV rated” (as determined by Martindale-Hubble’s peer review process). Deb is the former President of the Idaho State Bar Association and Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Conference of the U.S. Courts.

By Carolyn Lamm, President, American Bar Association

      When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, many of her most important questions can’t be answered by a doctor. What if my insurance won’t cover a new treatment? Do I risk losing my benefits if I am not working full time? Will my boss let me take time off for treatment?

     To help women answer these questions, the American Bar Association and state and local bar associations across the country have been sponsoring breast cancer legal advocacy workshops. This landmark project features panels of local legal experts who can help women find the answers they need, from employment issues to insurance issues.

     According to one expert on the Family and Medical Leave Act, when it comes to breast cancer, the number one legal issue is not the denial of insurance coverage, but in fact, employment.

     Many breast cancer patients face employment discrimination due to misconceptions about the disease and a lack of empathy and understanding of cancer. However, both federal and state laws protect against unlawful employment actions.

     Legal professionals can help patients understand the complex healthcare provisions of insurance coverage that are often difficult to understand and can fight for patients’ employment rights. Women with breast cancer should work with legal advocates and know that lawyers stand ready to partner in the fight against breast cancer.

       One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, underscoring the need for more legal advocacy workshops and more partnerships between doctors, lawyers and patients.

     The American Bar Association’s Breast Cancer Legal Advocacy Workshop Toolkit offers advice and aid for lawyers wishing to help patients navigate their situation and provides a blueprint for attorneys to use for developing training programs to educate other advocates. Here is a sample of the advice the toolkit offers anyone facing breast cancer:

Ten Steps to Protecting the Legal Rights of Breast Cancer Patients

1. Read your health insurance policy carefully.
2. Determine if the treatment prescribed by your physician is covered by your policy.
3. Find out about the appeals process under your insurance policy.
4. Consult with an expert who is knowledgeable about health insurance law.
5. Plead your case in person to your insurance carrier.
6. Personalize your written case with your insurance company.
7. Obtain copies of your medical records.
8. Document everything!
9. Ask your physician to advocate for your treatment.
10. Be prepared to fight!

     The Idaho State Bar has developed a mentoring program to assist new lawyers in the transition from law school to a successful law practice. The program will pair a new lawyer with an experienced lawyer in their local community. The experienced lawyer mentors have agreed to respond to general questions from the new lawyers and to give suggestions and offer guidance where appropriate about the practical aspects of practicing law.

     The mentor serves as a valuable resource for practical advice, professional contacts, and support to guide new lawyers as they begin their legal careers. We ask that the mentor make the initial contact with the new lawyer. After that contact, the pair can agree upon the best method for communicating and the frequency of communication desired. It is recommended that the pair communicate at least monthly for a one-year period.

      If you are interested in participating as either a mentor or mentee, please contact Terri Muse by email or at (208) 334-4500 for more information and an application.

Posted with permission of:  Terri Muse – Deputy Executive Director, Idaho State Bar

      When the Idaho State Bar formed the first CLE committee in 1955, seminars were generally conducted in a traditional lecture format in a one-day or multi-day program. Over the years, the mode of viewing options, the number of programs, and the style of presentation has changed considerably.

     In 1983, the CLE Committee began to record live programs in an effort to expand the number of attorneys who could benefit from the committee’s programming.  These programs were then available for rent for lawyers to view in a group or individually.

     In the mid-1980s, the CLE Committee saw the need to further expand the number of programs available and began to offer programs produced by national organizations such as the ABA. These programs were available via telecast at various viewing sites set up around the state.

     The 1990s saw the introduction of a more interactive – style of CLE seminars.  Interactive seminars use learning techniques such as discussion of case scenarios and other hypothetical situations, role playing, and other trial practice skills training opportunities.

    In 2001, the CLE Committee approved the first on-demand on-line CLE distribution. Programs were offered for viewing by attorneys statewide on their computers.

     In May 2007, the first live webcast of an Idaho CLE program was launched from the Law Center in Boise.  The arrival of the live webcast viewing option greatly expanded the availability of live CLE programming options to Idaho attorneys on a state-wide basis.

     Today Idaho attorneys have a variety of CLE options available to them. Programming is offered live and via live webcast. Attorney can choose to do up to one-half of their CLE requirement as self-study credit and programs are available on DVD, audio CD, and online for that purpose.