Jim Jones is of counsel in the firm’s Boise office, and concentrates his practice on appellate consultations on a broad range of civil issues. He also dedicates time to pro bono work for the local refugee community.
Jim’s legal career spans more than 54 years, including serving as Chief Justice of the Idaho State Supreme Court, a position to which he was elected in 2015. He served as legislative assistant to former U.S. Senator Len B. Jordan for three years, beginning in 1970. He maintained a private law practice, starting in 1973, until his election as Idaho Attorney General in 1982. During his eight-year tenure as Idaho Attorney General, Jim successfully battled the State’s largest electric utility over control of the Snake River, resulting in the modernization of Idaho’s water law and an adjudication of the Snake River. He documented this historic water fight in his book, A Little Dam Problem: How Idaho almost lost control of the Snake River. Jim argued three cases before the United States Supreme Court as Attorney General.
After completion of his service as Attorney General, Jim maintained a private practice in Boise from 1991, until being elected to the Idaho Supreme Court in 2004. He was re-elected in 2010 and elected to serve as Chief Justice on July 15, 2015.
In addition to his extensive legal background, Jim has been actively involved in the community, serving on numerous boards and committees in Idaho during his legal career.
Jim served as an artillery officer in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged as a Captain in 1969. Jim received a number of combat decorations, including the Bronze Star, Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. In addition, he received an Army Commendation Medal for his civic action work with an orphanage run by the Cao Dai Church in Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam.
