WARREN JONES NAMED TO SUPREME COURT
BOISE ATTORNEY APPOINTED TO FILL HIGH COURT
VACANCY LEFT BY RETIREMENT

(COEUR D’ALENE) – Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter today appointed Warren Jones, a Boise lawyer, to fill the Idaho Supreme Court vacancy that will be left by the July 31 retirement of Chief Justice Gerald Schroeder.

“Justice Jones brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Idaho’s highest court. His impressive 37-year legal career has sharpened his intellect and strengthened his commitment to the Idaho Constitution and the rule of law,” Governor Otter said. “His colleagues in the Idaho Bar agree that he is balanced, fair and impartial, and that his temperament will fit well in a collegial setting with the other justices.”

Jones, 63, will serve the remainder of Schroeder’s term, which expires January 7, 2009, and will stand for election in May 2008. He also will join the four remaining members of the high court in electing a new chief justice to a four-year term in that role.

The annual salary for each of the five Supreme Court justices increases from $110,500 to $114,900 on July 1.

Jones is a graduate of Albertson College of Idaho and the University of Chicago Law School. He has been with the law firm of Eberle Berlin, Kading, Turnbow, McKlveen and Jones since 1970. His wife, Karen, is a retired nurse, and he has two grown stepchildren.

“I want to take this opportunity to express my great respect for the judicial branch and for Chief Justice Schroeder. His dedication to the judiciary and the law is a tremendous example for all to follow, and his leadership on the Judicial Council resulted in an exemplary slate of nominees,” Governor Otter said. “I hope that future vacancies will result in the kind of diversity of applicants that will ensure the entire spectrum of Idaho legal talent is included in the process.”

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