LIVE EVENT: Are Independent Hearing Officers A Good Idea for Idaho's Water? (Boise)
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Are Independent Hearing Officers A Good Idea for Idaho’s Water?

Sponsored by the Idaho State Bar Water Law Section

Presented by McHugh Bromley Legal Education, LLC

 

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

8:30 am – 4:30 pm (MDT)

 

University of Idaho – Water Center, First Floor

322 E. Front St. - Boise

 

7.0 CLE credits including 1.0 Ethics

In Person attendance only*

 

Registration Fee:

Private Attorney                    $400

Government Attorney          $300

General Public                       $200

Students                                 $100

 

Agenda

8:30 am         Overview of the Issue

                        Candice McHugh, McHugh Bromley, PLLC                     

8:45 am         Idaho’s Office of Administrative Hearings, Ensuring Expertise and How to Keep Hearing Officers Independent and Without Bias

                        Hon. Bryan A. Nickels, Office of Administrative Hearings

9:30 am         Idaho Agencies that Conduct Their Own Hearings

                        Idaho Industrial Commission  - Claire Sharp, Commission, Idaho Industrial Commission

                        Public Utilites Commission -  Preston Carter, Givens Pursley

10:30 am       Break

10:45 am       Western States’ Case Studies – What Do Other States Do and What Are Their Ethical Rules for Hearing Officers?

                        Mathew Bain, Parsons Behle & Latimer - Montana

                        Jim Browitt, Browitt Law Office - Washington

11:45 am       Lunch

12:15 pm      A Judicial Perspective - Do Independent Hearing Officers Do a Better Job Than In-House Hearing Officers?            

                        Justice Roger Burdick, Retired Chief Justice, Idaho Supreme Court

12:45 pm      How Does It Work Within IDWR & Code of Ethics Within the Agency

                        James Cefalo, Idaho Department of Water Resources

1:15 pm         Perspectives on Independent Hearing Officers for Idaho’s Contested Cases On Water Issues

                        Moderator: Candice McHugh, McHugh Bromley, PLLC

                        Panelists:

                        Thomas J. Budge, Racine Olson, PLLP

                        Christopher M. Bromley, McHugh Bromley, PLLC

                        Andy Waldera, Sawtooth Law Offices

                        James Cefalo, Idaho Department of Water Resources

2:15 pm         Summary of Proposed Legislation or Changes Within the Agency

2:30 pm         Small Group/Leader Led Discussions on What We’ve Learned Today – Revisions or Thoughts on Draft Legislation or Changes Within the Agency

3:15 pm         Report from Small Groups

                        Reasons Why We Should Change to Independent HO or OAH

                        Reasons Why We Should Keep Contested Matters within the Agency

4:00 pm         Next Steps/Recommendations Summary

4:30 pm         Program Concludes

*A recording will be made and available on demand after the program.

Seminar Information
Date Presented:
November 05, 2025 8:00 AM Mountain
Length:
8 hours, 30 minutes
Are Independent Hearing Officers A Good Idea for Idaho’s Water? Overview of the Issue
Speaker Information
Candice McHugh  [ view bio ]
Idaho’s Office of Administrative Hearings, Ensuring Expertise and How to Keep Hearing Officers Independent and Without Bias
Speaker Information
Hon. Bryan A. Nickels  [ view bio ]
Idaho Agencies that Conduct Their Own Hearings
Speaker Information
Preston Carter  [ view bio ]
Claire Sharp  [ view bio ]
Western States’ Case Studies – What Do Other States Do and What Are Their Ethical Rules for Hearing Officers?
Speaker Information
Mathew Bain  [ view bio ]
Jim Browitt  [ view bio ]
A Judicial Perspective – Do Independent Hearing Officers Do a Better Job Than In-House Hearing Officers?
Speaker Information
Justice Roger Burdick  [ view bio ]
How Does It Work Within IDWR & Code of Ethics Within the Agency
Speaker Information
James Cefalo  [ view bio ]
Perspectives on Independent Hearing Officers for Idaho’s Contested Cases On Water Issues
Speaker Information
Panelists: Christopher M. Bromley  [ view bio ]
Panelists: Thomas J. Budge  [ view bio ]
Panelists: James Cefalo  [ view bio ]
Moderator: Candice McHugh  [ view bio ]
Panelists: Andy Waldera  [ view bio ]
Report from Small Groups/Next Steps/Recommendations Summary
Individual topic purchase: Selected
Idaho State Bar
Total MCLE Credits: 7.00
Including Ethics: 1.00
Products
This seminar is no longer available for purchase.