Brody Named Next Idaho Chief Justice

Justice Robyn Brody has been selected as the next chief justice of the Idaho Supreme Court, effective Oct. 1.

Justice Brody will become the second woman to lead Idaho’s highest court. She will succeed Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan, who announced earlier this year he will retire from the Court Oct. 30.

The chief justice position in Idaho is not tied to an elected term of office, but is selected from among the five justices by a majority vote of the Court as provided in the Idaho Constitution. The chief justice leads the Court in its judicial role deciding appeals. They are also the executive head of Idaho’s state courts and work with their fellow justices to manage a unified and integrated system throughout the state.

A chief justice’s term lasts four years. Chief Justice Bevan is in his second term, having served in the role since January 2021.

Justice Brody was elected to the Supreme Court after a statewide race in 2016 and is now in her second six-year term in elected office. She is currently vice chief of the Court and is actively involved in multiple committees related to Idaho’s families and children. She also chairs the Court’s Language Access Committee and the state’s Pro Bono Commission. She is a board member of the Idaho Law Foundation, which oversees the Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program and civic education programs like the Idaho High School Mock Trial Competition.

Justice Brody has been an Idaho lawyer for nearly 30 years. Before joining the Court, she practiced law in the Magic Valley, starting her own law firm in 2010 in Rupert. She is actively involved in continuing education for Idaho attorneys and has been an adjunct professor at the University of Idaho College of Law, where she taught a small law firm management practicum.

“Idaho is a special place; the dedication and professionalism of our independent courts have helped make it so,” Justice Brody said. “I am honored to serve our state in this way, and I am grateful for the trust of my fellow justices.”

“Justice Brody has long worked to ensure that in a changing world, our courts remain accessible to all. Our Judicial Branch is in excellent hands,” Chief Justice Bevan said.