Bush named to new post

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POCATELLO - Sixth District Judge Ronald E. Bush, still digesting a recent appointment to the federal bench, said Monday he felt fortunate to be selected from the number of qualified candidates also vying for the position.

On Monday, Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill announced that Bush would replace one of Idaho's two U.S. magistrate judges, both of whom retire next year.

Last summer, Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Mikel H. Williams announced he would retire in March, while U.S. Magistrate Judge Larry M. Boyle said he would retire in September 2008.

Bush said he was told of his appointment to the federal bench on Nov. 21, four years to the day he was sworn in as a district judge in Pocatello. He will replace Boyle and is scheduled to start on the federal bench next September.

''I am gratified with the confidence placed in me with this appointment,'' Bush said.

With the summer's announcements also came the application process to replace the retiring judges. Bush, who said he wasn't necessarily ready to leave Idaho's Sixth District court, also realized the rarity of the opportunity before him.

''Unfortunately, you can't pick and choose when these opportunities come along,'' Bush said. ''Pursuing it came with a lot of thought. With both of (the retirements) coming at the same time, it's conceivable another opportunity like this would not come during my working life.''

Federal magistrate judges are appointed by the chief U.S. district judge in each state. They are appointed to eightyear terms, which are typically renewed. The applicants appointed to replace Boyle and Williams could hold their positions for at least 16 years. Williams, sworn to the federal bench in 1984, is currently the longest tenured U.S. magistrate judge in the country.

Bush, 51, decided to seize the opportunity and applied.

In selecting a new U.S. magistrate judge, the state's U.S. district judges start by creating a Merit Selection Panel. That panel reviews applications and interviews a certain number of applicants before sending a few of those names off to Idaho's two district and two magistrate judges for consideration.

Now that Bush has been appointed, where he will be based is the next question.

''I hope to be based out of Pocatello,'' Bush said. ''Boise would be the alternative.''

Bannock County Prosecutor Mark Hiedeman heard about Bush's appointment Monday. He said it didn't come as a great surprise.

''He is a very thoughtful jurist and will be a great addition to the federal system,'' Hiedeman said. ''I'd heard he made the final list. I wasn't surprised at that, and I am not surprised he was appointed.''

Bannock County Public Defender Randy Schulthies said he spoke with Bush about the appointment Monday.

''He is quite challenged with the new frontier,'' Schulthies said. ''I'm sure he'll do a good job. He's well-qualified.''

Appointed to fill Williams' vacancy was Boise-based attorney Candy W. Dale. She will be the first woman appointed to the federal bench in Idaho, but Bush, who knows Dale, says that won't be her identifier for long.

''She is a bright, articulate attorney who is going to be a great judge,'' Bush said. ''It will be a very short period before people just start thinking of her as a really good judge.''

Bush earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Idaho in 1979 and his law degree at George Washington University School of Law in 1983.

Prior to his appointment to the Sixth District bench, Bush was a partner in both the Boise and Pocatello offices of Hawley, Troxell, Ennis & Hawley, where he focused his practice on business litigation and First Amendment media law.

Bush said he could have never predicted the course his career would take and, at times, it feels as though he is living a dream.

''When I was a young lawyer, I never thought I would have the right stuff to be on the state or federal bench,'' Bush said.

BY JIMMY HANCOCK jhancock@journalnet.com

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