F a cu l t y A w a r d University
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Legal Merit
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The Award of Legal Merit recognizes the outstanding contributions of an Idaho law graduate whose career exemplifies the best in the legal profession. This annual award is determined by a vote of the law faculty and is based on demonstrated standards of integrity, competence, service and leadership through work as a legal practitioner, service to the legal profession, service to the community, or service to business/state/national interests.
Bart M. Davis was appointed United States Attorney on September 21, 2017 and served until February 28, 2021. At the time of his appointment, Davis was serving his eighth term as Idaho Senate Majority Leader. He had been a member of the Idaho Senate since 1998 and Majority Leader since 2002.
Bart M. Davis
Mr. Davis graduated with a bachelor of arts from Brigham Young University in 1978 and went on to complete his juris doctorate at the University of Idaho College of Law in 1980. Following his graduation from law school, he began his legal career in Idaho Falls practicing commercial, construction, business, real property and bankruptcy law. He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the State of Idaho, United States District Court, District of Idaho and District of Arizona, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and United States Supreme Court. He was co-counsel on a tax case before the United States Supreme Court in 1990. Davis has been awarded the prestigious “AV Preeminent” rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer review rating in legal ability and ethical standards.
In 2001, Davis became a commissioner to the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL). He served on the Committee on Relations with other Organizations, Committee on Federalism and State Law, and History Committee. He was also the past chairman for The Council of State Governments (CSG). As a member of the CSG and CSG-WEST, Davis’ service included: CSG Chair, CSG-West Chair, Governing Board and Executive Committees, 21st Century Foundation, Committee on Suggested State Legislation, Co-Chair - International Committee, Chair - Futures Committee, Chair - Toll Fellows Selection Committee, Chair - Legal Task Force (12 member “Federalism” national task force to determine amicus curiae participation before the U.S. Supreme Court), National Governance Working Group (organic instruments), and CSG-West Working Group Chair. In 1999, he was awarded the Toll Fellowship. Davis was also a past trustee of the Museum of Idaho. Davis is active in the Idaho State Bar (ISB). He served the state bar, federal bar and the Idaho Supreme Court in many ways, including the Judicial Independence and Integrity Committee. He served the federal courts for six years as a lawyer representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference (including Conference Executive Committee), 11 years on the Bankruptcy Court Rules Committee (recorder from 1998 to 2001), Chapter 13 Plan Subcommittee (reporter), and Long Range Planning Committee. He is a frequent speaker at legal continuing education programs. He was a founding board member and past chair of the Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section. He was also the chair and member of the University of Idaho College of Law Advisory Council, on the Idaho Law Review Advisory Board, and the 2007 College of Law Conclave. Davis is a coauthor of “Use of Legislative History: Willow Witching for Legislative Intent,” 43 University of Idaho College of Law Review 585 (2007), and author of “Idaho’s Messy History with Term Limits: A Modest Response,” 52 University of Idaho College of Law Review 463 (2016).
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