THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2025 IMAGE: "Sawtooth National Forest - Stanley, Idaho"
UNITED STATES COURTS
District of Idaho
Clerk of Court Stephen W. Kenyon
Public 2 New
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2025
The lawyer representative position assists the Federal Court to improve the administration of justice and works on the themes of the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. The representatives must be willing to attend committee meetings and the annual Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. Generally, the lawyer representative serves as a liaison between the federal bar and the U.S. Courts.
Typical duties of the lawyer representative position include: serving as the representative of the bar to advance opinions and suggestions for improvement, making recommendations on the use of the Court’s non-appropriated fund, assisting the Court in the implementation of new programs or procedures, serving on court committees, and developing the curriculum, or serving as faculty, for training programs such as the annual District Bench/Bar Conference. The representatives may survey federal bar members about issues or concerns and recommend rule or policy changes.
Elijah Watkins is a trial attorney at Dorsey & Whitney LLP with extensive experience handling complex business disputes in federal and state courts. He has successfully represented clients across industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and financial services, and has argued significant cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Elijah is committed to improving the administration of justice and strengthening collaboration between the courts and the bar. He has served on the Local Rules Committee since 2021, where he has contributed to initiatives such as the district’s model discovery protective order. From 2015 to 2018, he participated in the Ninth Circuit’s prison reform efforts, working with judges, court staff, and other stakeholders to address systemic issues.
A dedicated mentor and educator, Elijah has presented at the Idaho Bench Bar Conference and served as a faculty member at the Idaho Trial Skills Academy, where he trained attorneys on trial advocacy. His commitment to service extends to his role as a board member of the Federal Defenders of Idaho since 2019, where he helps allocate resources for essential legal services.
Elijah earned his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law, graduating magna cum laude, and his B.S. from Brigham Young University–Idaho, where he served as student body president. He is admitted to practice in Idaho, Illinois, and several federal courts across the country.
Appointed December 2024
Term of Service: 2025-2027
Elijah Watkins (At-Large)
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
101 S. Capitol Boulevard, Suite 1100 | Boise, ID 83702
t. 208.617.2537 | f. 208.963.3046
watkins.elijah@dorsey.com
As a litigator, Sam Angell has extensive experience in a wide range of complex governmental entity, insurance defense and commercial matters. He has represented clients in State and Federal District Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Mr. Angell has assisted governmental entities including cities and counties across the State of Idaho in the defense of complex state and federal tort claims, including employment discrimination and wage and hour claims, 1983 constitutional claims, age discrimination claims under the (ADEA), disability discrimination claims under the (ADA), land use, zoning and irrigation claims, and related matters. This work has included representing local and national corporations and individuals in commercial and contract litigation, agricultural litigation, land use and boundary disputes, DEQ compliance, trade secret, duty of loyalty and other business matters including shareholder derivative suits.
In addition, Mr. Angell works for business and agricultural clients in the negotiation and preparation of a variety of business-related contracts, such as employment agreements, non-compete agreements, independent contractor agreements, nondisclosure agreements, and farm leases. He takes pride in being available to assist his business and agricultural clients in whatever complications might arise including employment matters, human resource issues, collections problems, and in the enforcement of agricultural and business agreements.
Mr. Angell is the city attorney for the city of Ashton and the city of Driggs representing both cities in general civil matters.
Appointed October 2023
Term of Service: 2024-2026
Contact Information:
Sam Angell (6th & 7th Districts)
Hall Angell & Associates
1075 South Utah Avenue, Suite 150 | Idaho Falls, ID 83402
t. 208.522.3003 | f. 208.621.3008
sla@hasattorneys.com
Howard Belodoff is the Associate Director of Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. and has a part-time private firm. Upon graduation from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1978, Mr. Belodoff received a Reginald Heber Smith Fellowship from Howard University. Since then, Mr. Belodoff’s trial and appellate work has focused on civil rights. He has established case precedents of national significance, including twelve successful appeals in the Ninth Circuit.
Mr. Belodoff is the recipient of the 2021 Idaho State Bar Distinguished Lawyer Award, the 2019 Reginald Heber Smith Justice Award by the National Legal Aid and Defenders Association, and the 2018 Idaho Trial Lawyers Association’s Trial Lawyer of the Year Award. He has been named a Super Lawyer since 2010 and is a Martindale-Hubbell Most Honored Lawyer. Mr. Belodoff has served as the chairperson of the Idaho State Bar’s Litigation Section and as the president of the Dick Fields Chapter of the American Inns of Court.
Appointed October 2022
Term of Service: 2023-2025
Contact Information:
Howard Belodoff (4th District)
Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc.
1447 S. Tyrell Lane | Boise, ID 83706
t. 208.807.2323 | f. 208.342.2561
howardbelodoff@idaholegalaid.org
Sonyalee Nutsch has been a partner at Clements, Brown and McNichols, P.A. since 2006, where her practice focuses on the defense of business entities and their employees or insureds in a variety of cases. Prior to joining Clements, Brown and McNichols, P.A. in 2003, Ms. Nutsch was with the Nez Perce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, where she started as an intern in 1999.
Ms. Nutsch was raised in southern Idaho, graduating from Jerome High School in 1993. She moved to Lewiston to attend Lewis-Clark State College where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Justice Studies in 1997. She then attended the University of Idaho, College of Law and graduated cum laude in 2000. She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Patrick, for 29 years, and together they enjoy traveling all over the world.
Appointed September 2021
Term of Service: 2022-2024
Emeritus: 2025, 2026
Contact Information:
Sonyalee R. Nutsch (1st & 2nd Districts)
Clements, Brown and McNichols, P.A.
321 13th St., P.O. Box 1510 | Lewiston, ID 83501
t. 208.743.6538 | f. 208.746.0753
snutsch@clbrmc.com
Katie Ball is the Associate Dean of Students and Clinical Professor at the University of Idaho College of Law. Ms. Ball received her J.D. from the University of Idaho in 2002; Dean's List every semester. She was an extern law clerk for the Honorable B. Lynn Winmill in the Spring of 2002. Following graduation, Ms. Ball served as a law clerk for the Honorable Stephen S. Trott, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Thereafter, she was a pro se/capital case staff attorney for the United States District Court for the District of Idaho until 2004. Ms. Ball then served as a career staff attorney for the Honorable Ronald E. Bush for ten years. She has worked at the University of Idaho College of Law since 2008.
Appointed September 2020
Term of Service: 2021-2023
Emeritus: 2024, 2025
Contact Information:
Katie Ball (4th District)
University of Idaho College of Law
P.O. Box 83720-0051| Boise, ID 83720-0051
t. 208.870.8072 | f. 208.334.2176
ktball@uidaho.edu
