February 9, 2022
Idaho Court of Appeals Judge Jessica M. Lorello became chief judge of that court Jan. 1. The Court of Appeals consists of four judges who, in panels of three, hear appellate cases from Idaho’s trial courts as assigned by the Idaho Supreme Court. The chief judge presides over the Court of Appeals and oversees its administration. Court rule and state law provide for the chief justice of the Idaho Supreme Court to appoint a chief judge for the Court of Appeals every two years. Judge Lorello has served on the Court of Appeals since 2017, when she was appointed by former Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter. Previously, she worked as an attorney in private practice and at the Idaho Attorney General’s Office. Judge Lorello serves on the Idaho Law Foundation’s Law Related Education Committee, is a founding and current member of Attorneys for Civic Education and is active in a number of civic education programs, while also teaching as an adjunct professor at the University of Idaho College of Law. Chief Justice Richard Bevan, who appointed Lorello, said she understands the vital role of Idaho’s judiciary in our constitutional system of state government and the importance of helping parties and the public to understand that role.