Elsaesser being honored for legal contributions
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SANDPOINT — A longtime Bonner County attorney is among two alumni being honored today by the University of Idaho College of Law for their outstanding contributions to the legal profession during commencement ceremonies this month.
Ford Elsaesser Jr. ’77 will receive the Sheldon A. Vincenti Award for Exemplary Service on May 15 in Moscow. Bart M. Davis ’80 will be presented the Faculty Award of Legal Merit on May 18 in Boise.
“Ford’s 20 years of service to the college as an adjunct teaching bankruptcy law and his commitment to coaching the national bankruptcy moot court team are unsurpassed,” said Jerry Long, College of Law dean. “And Bart Davis’ contributions to the Idaho legal community and the state of Idaho are too numerous to name. We are humbled and honored to recognize these remarkable alumni.”
Elsaesser told The Daily Bee he was honored by the recognition and by teaching at his alma mater.
"It has been an honor and privilege to teach these last nearly 20 years, particularly now that I am practicing in a number of cases where my former students are involved," he said.
Among the students are new bankruptcy judge, Noah G. Hillen, and new Assistant U.S. Trustee in Idaho, Jason Naess, both former students.
"Most satisfying has been to be able to practice with my partner and daughter, Katie Elsaesser, who has joined numerous second-generation Vandal lawyers right here in Bonner County," he said.
The Sheldon A. Vincenti Award recognizes individuals “whose extraordinary and exemplary service to the College of Law reflects the spirit of devotion, loyalty and commitment to the betterment of the College of Law embodied by Dean Vincenti.”
After earning his doctorate from U of I, Elsaesser co-founded the Sandpoint law firm Elsaesser Anderson, Chtd., a nationally-recognized bankruptcy law practice. He has served as a Chapter 7 trustee since 1984, handling more than 20,000 cases, and as a Chapter 12 trustee for the region since 1986.
Elsaesser served as a bankruptcy professor at U of I for 20 years and has coached the bankruptcy moot court team that long. His team won the national championship in 2001 and the Best Brief Award in 2016.
Elsaesser, who received the Award of Legal Merit in 2011, was named to the U of I Alumni Hall of Fame in 2016.
The Award of Legal Merit recognizes the outstanding contribution of an Idaho law graduate whose career exemplifies the best in the legal profession. The annual award is determined by a vote of the law faculty and is based on demonstrated standards of integrity, competence, service and leadership through work as a legal practitioner, service to the legal profession, service to the community or service to business/state/national interests.
Davis was appointed U.S. attorney in 2017 and served until Feb. 28, 2021. At the time of his appointment, he was serving his eighth term as Idaho Senate majority leader. He had been a member of the Senate since 1998 and majority leader since 2002.
After graduating from U of I, Davis practiced commercial, construction, business, real property and bankruptcy law in Idaho Falls. He is admitted to practice before the Idaho and U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. District Court, Districts of Idaho and Arizona and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Davis was awarded the prestigious “AV Preeminent” rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer review rating in legal ability and ethical standards. His honors include: Idaho Fraternal Order of Police Legislator of the Year (2016); Angel in Adoption Award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (2011); Cesar Chavez/Dolores Huerta Farmworker Justice Award; and the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award from the Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section.
