2025 US Courts Bench & Bar Conference - Coeur d'Alene 

Sponsored by the United States Courts, District of Idaho

Friday, October 24, 2025
8:30 am to 4:45 pm (PDT)

Coeur d’Alene Inn Best Western

506 W. Appleway Ave. - Coeur d’Alene

*In-Person Attendance Only* 

5.5 CLE credits of which 1.0 is Ethics

Registration Fee: 

Attorney                                                                   $145.00

Discounted:

     Federal Defender/US Attorney/Law Clerk

     Law School Faculty & Staff or

     Young Lawyers Section Member                  $ 75.00

Federal Law Clerk/Judge/Law Students   

(With ID)                                                                   No Charge

NOTE: All Registration Fees Will Increase by $10 on October 22^nd.

Join the United States District Court, District of Idaho for their annual District of Idaho Northern Bench Bar Conference in Coeur d’Alene.

Agenda

8:30 am      Welcome and the State of the Federal Judiciary

                   Hon. Debora K. Grasham, U.S. Magistrate Judge

                   Hon. David C. Nye, Chief U.S. District Judge

                   Hon. Raymond E. Patricco, Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge

                   Hon. Noah G. Hillen, Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge

                   Hon. Richard C. Tallman, Senior Circuit Judge, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

9:00 am        The U.S. Supreme Court’s Most Recent and Upcoming Terms: Still in the Political Crosshairs

                   Professor Richard Seamon, University of Idaho College of Law

The Court in its most recently completed Term decided some major legal issues – including some decisions made on its “shadow docket” – that are closely connected with deep social/political divisions, such as religion and DEI initiatives. And the October 2025 Term promises a continuation of that trend. This presentation will highlight the major decisions from the completed October 2024 Term and discuss some of the major issues the Court will take up in the October 2025 Term.

10:00 am     Break

10:15 am     Doctrine of Qualified Immunity

                    Kyle D. Cole, Perkins Coie LLP and Hannah G. Pugh, Federal Defender Services of Idaho

The doctrine of Qualified Immunity has achieved rare status. Some non-lawyers have heard of it, and presidential candidates are taking positions on it. Within the legal community it has created odd bedfellows. The Alliance Defending Freedom and CATO Institute have issued statements criticizing it, linking arms with groups like the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and ACLU. This presentation traces the rise of Qualified Immunity, describes its current state, identifies a few of the legal issues that have made it a flashpoint, and speculates about what might happen if the Supreme Court overrules a doctrine that many refer to as “Unqualified Impunity.”

11:15 am     The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America

                    Jeffrey Rosen, Executive Director, The National Constitution Center 

Mr. Rosen hosts the We The People podcast, a podcast of constitutional debate. Mr. Rosen will speak on how the founders’ lives were impacted by classical writers.

12:15 pm    Award Presentation

                   Lawyer Representative Service Award presented to Howard Belodoff, Lawyer Representative for the 4th Judicial District

12:30 pm    Lunch & Mingle

1:30 pm      A Dynamic Republic: The Ebb, Flow and Assertion of Executive Power Under Article II

                   Brian Kane, Executive Director, National Association of Attorneys General

The separation of powers is an ingrained and essential foundational element of our constitutional republic. From Washington’s quiet restraint to the rise of executive orders, this discussion will dive into the constitutional currents that shape presidential power. Throughout our history, presidential power has been exercised in tandem with Congressional authority and the affirmation of the Supreme Court, and presidential power has been exercised in spite of both. Whether you prefer constitutional originalism or pragmatism, this discussion will deepen your thinking, your understanding, and your historical perspective.

2:30 pm      Ethics in Legal Practice

                   Professor Jessica Gunder, University of Idaho College of Law

Practitioners will learn about the recent public discipline cases and how the Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct were implicated in each case. The presentation will also include an overview of grievance investigations and the discipline process in Idaho.

3:30 pm      Break

3:45 pm      Ask the Experts: Federal Judicial Panel

Practitioners will have the opportunity to ask our appellate, bankruptcy, district, and magistrate judges questions about best practices and preferred procedures for federal practice. Please submit your questions at registration or come prepared to ask questions at the conference.

                   Panel: All available Judges

                   Moderator: Howard Belodoff, Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc.

4:45 pm      Program Concludes