Parsons Behle & Latimer

Slade provides his clients with strategic advice in a broad spectrum of areas, including complex business disputes, and commercial, employment, insurance, medical malpractice, and significant injury litigation. Whether in litigation or not, Slade approaches his clients’ problems with pragmatism and dedication in order to achieve the most successful outcome possible.

Capabilities

Biography

Slade D. Sokol is a shareholder and member of the Litigation, Health Law, Employment and Labor Law, and Insurance Practice groups at Parsons Behle & Latimer. In addition to the areas referenced above, Slade regularly advises and handles litigation work for his clients in the areas of contract and real property, corporate and business, trusts and estates, intellectual property, employment and labor, product liability, wrongful death, and trucking collision litigation. Slade provides his clients with representation in all Idaho courts, including the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, as well as before administrative agencies.

Slade received his undergraduate degree from Boise State University before attending Michigan State University College of Law, where he graduated in the top 10 percent of his class. He represents the third generation of the Sokol family to practice law.

Experience

Nelsen v. Nelsen

On April 19, 2022, the Idaho Supreme Court issued its opinion in Nelsen v. Nelsen, ruling in favor of Slade D. Sokol and Richard H. Greener's clients on six of the seven issues. The 40-page opinion addressed numerous evidentiary issues, the summary judgment standard where a dispute is decided by the trial court rather than a jury, as well as claims involving testamentary capacity, undue influence, and the interpretation of Idaho operating agreements. The Idaho Supreme Court also formally declined to adopt the tort of intentional interference with an expected inheritance. This opinion was a significant win for Parsons' clients, and one that will likely be cited many times in the future.

Successfully Obtained Relief Sought in a Trust Dispute Case - $2M in Cash

In a trust dispute case, shareholders Fredric V. Shoemaker and Slade D. Sokol were ultimately able to obtain the relief sought by our client: the sale of trust-owned real estate and nearly $2 million in cash, distributed to the client beneficiary. Shoemaker and Sokol were also able to successfully defend against the trustees’ argument that the "no contest" language in the trust agreement was invoked, and the client was disinherited due to the relief sought. The court disagreed and ruled in favor of the beneficiary on this issue.

Return of Trust Funds and Pre-Judgment Interest for Clients

Obtained a judgment on behalf of a group of trust beneficiaries to prevent a trustee’s attempt to abscond with millions of dollars of life insurance policy proceeds that were trust assets. Also obtained a pre-judgment interest award to compensate the beneficiaries for the lost investment opportunities from the trustee’s attempt to take the funds.

Accomplishments

Academic

Michigan State University College of Law, J.D.

Top 10 percent Dean’s List /Jurisprudence Achievement Awards (top grade in course):
Water Law, Plea and Sentencing Clinic I, Mergers and Acquisitions
Journal of Business and Securities Law, Member

Boise State University, B.S. Political Science

Pi Sigma Alpha, National Political Science Honor Society
Political Science Association, President

Associations

Professional

Idaho State Bar Association
Member

Federal Bar Association
(2016 – Present)

American Inns of Court No. 130, Boise, Idaho
Barrister Member
(2014 – 2016)

Community

United Way of Treasure Valley – Health Vision Council Member
(2021 – Present)

Leadership Boise Program, Boise Metro Chamber
(2016 – 2018 Class)

Credentials

Licensed

Idaho

U.S. Dist. Court, Dist. of Idaho

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Dist. of Idaho

U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit

Education

Michigan State University College of Law