University of Idaho College of Law

⚖ Helping the public understand the law is one of the University of Idaho College of Law's most important responsibilities.

Idaho Law Professor Jordan Gross recently spoke with 4 News Now to explain the legal standards governing the latest post-conviction proceedings related to the 2022 University of Idaho student murders. In the interview, she provided important context about the legal burden required for claims involving the effectiveness of legal counsel, helping audiences better understand a complex area of criminal law.

Providing informed, objective legal analysis to the media is one way Idaho Law fulfills its mission of service to Idaho and its residents.

💛🖤 We also recognize that every new development in this case is a painful reminder for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and the entire Vandal community. We continue to hold the families of the four students in our thoughts as this difficult chapter continues.

Watch Prof. Gross' interview: https://www.kxly.com/news/bryan-kohberger-seeks-to-withdraw-guilty-plea-in-university-of-idaho-murders-case/article_37966757-c5c6-49c3-975f-177eef54b4ad.html

⚖ When national conversations turn to complex legal issues, Idaho Law faculty continue to serve as trusted voices.

Professor Samuel Newton was interviewed by CNN to provide legal analysis on the latest post-conviction developments stemming from the 2022 University of Idaho student murders. Drawing on his experience as both a former high-profile criminal defense attorney and current professor of criminal law and capital punishment, Prof. Newton helped explain the legal standards involved in these proceedings.

💛🖤 💪Although the legal process continues, we recognize that this case remains deeply personal for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and the entire Vandal community.

We remain grateful for faculty who help educate the public with careful, impartial legal expertise while keeping our thoughts with the families of the four students whose loss continues to be felt across our university.

Read the story 🔗https://abc7ny.com/post/idaho-college-murders-convicted-killer-bryan-kohberger-wants-plea-deal-heres-what-experts-say-chances/19589710/

💛🖤 You’ve got this, Vandals! 🖤💛

Today, more than 165 Idaho Law graduates from the Class of 2026 and previous graduating classes are sitting for bar exams across the country, including about 125 taking Idaho’s very first NextGen Bar Exam.

As one of the first states in the nation to adopt the new "think like a lawyer" exam, Idaho is helping shape the future of attorney licensing — and our graduates are leading the way. ⚖️

We’re proud to welcome University of Idaho graduates from both our Moscow and Boise campuses to our Front Street Building in downtown Boise this week as they take this important next step toward becoming Vandal lawyers.

"Our faculty and graduates have been working hard to prepare for the NextGen exam and its emphasis on testing how lawyers should think, not just what they should know," said Professor Scott R. Learned, director of Idaho Law's Vandal Bar Success Program. "I am tremendously proud of how our graduates have faced the challenge of being the first to take this new exam."

A huge thank you to the Idaho State Bar examiners and to our incredible faculty, staff, current students and alumni for supporting our graduates every step of the way. ❤️

Good luck to every Vandal taking the bar exam this week. We believe in you.

You’ve got this! 💪⚖️

⚖️ How can prosecutors pursue a murder conviction without recovering a victim's body?

As Idaho prepares for another high-profile criminal trial, University of Idaho College of Law Professor Jordan Gross is helping answer one of the public's biggest legal questions.

In an interview with Idaho News 6 Senior Reporter Roland Beres, Prof. Gross explains the longstanding legal principles behind "no-body" homicide prosecutions, the role of circumstantial evidence and why these cases ultimately depend on what prosecutors can prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

💛🖤Our faculty are committed to sharing their legal expertise beyond the classroom, helping Idaho communities better understand the law and the judicial process.

Read the story and watch the interview: https://www.kivitv.com/news/michael-vaughan-murder-case-legal-expert-lays-out-how-prosecutors-can-pursue-a-murder-charge-without-a-body

⚖️📰Faculty expertise matters—especially when complex legal questions are in the news.

Today, College of Law Professor Benjamin Plener Cover was featured in the Idaho Capital Sun, offering constitutional law insight on the legal issues surrounding the U.S. Department of Justice's warning to Idaho election officials.

Our faculty are regularly called upon by media outlets to provide thoughtful, nonpartisan legal analysis that helps explain the law and its broader implications.

Read the story here: https://idahocapitalsun.com/2026/07/10/trump-administration-threatens-to-criminally-prosecute-idaho-election-officials-if-noncitizens-vote/

⚖️❤️🤍💙
Today, as we celebrate Independence Day and begin the America250 commemoration, we pause to reflect on the enduring principles that continue to guide our nation.🏛

At the College of Law, the Constitution, the rule of law and a commitment to public service remain at the heart of our mission as Idaho's only law school. Every day, our students, faculty, staff and alumni work to strengthen the communities they serve and uphold the ideals that have shaped our democracy for generations.💪

💛🖤From all of us at Idaho Law, we wish you and your family a safe, meaningful and Happy Independence Day! 🎆

⚖❤️🤍💙As our nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day and begins the America250 commemoration, it's an appropriate time to recognize students who are helping carry forward the ideals of constitutional government and civic leadership.

👏Congratulations to Boise rising 3L Kalista Barkley, who recently represented the University of Idaho College of Law at the prestigious Model Constitutional Convention in St. Louis. As the first Idaho Law student ever selected to participate, Kalista went on to earn an even greater distinction when delegates from law schools across the country elected her to serve as president of the convention.

📖 Read Kalista's story: https://www.uidaho.edu/newsroom/kalista-barkley

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Her law school journey from Puyallup, Wash. to Boise State University and now to Idaho Law, highlight her leadership, deep understanding of parliamentary procedure and commitment to thoughtful dialogue that exemplify the qualities we strive to cultivate with all students at Idaho's only law school.

🇺🇸 As we reflect on the enduring principles that have guided our nation for nearly 250 years, we're proud to see Idaho Law students contributing to conversations about constitutional governance on a national stage.🎙️

💪Congratulations, Kalista, on this remarkable achievement!

💛🖤 The countdown is on... and we have so much to celebrate! 🎉⚖️

Last week, we welcomed members of our incoming Class of 2029 at our Summer Social gatherings in Moscow and Boise! It was wonderful seeing future classmates connect, meeting faculty, staff and current students, and experiencing the supportive Idaho Law community before classes even begin.

A special thank you to everyone who joined us at the Garden Lounge in Moscow and Payette Brewing Co. in Boise. 🐾🍻 We can't wait to see everyone again next month for the summer socials at the Moscow Farmer's Market and Capital City Public Market!

As these future Vandal Lawyers begin building lifelong friendships, tomorrow also marks the final day of the 2025-26 University of Idaho College of Law admissions application cycle — and we're celebrating a record-breaking year!

🎓 More than 800 applications have been received for Fall 2026 admission, one of the largest applicant pools in Idaho Law history.

This milestone reflects something we've always known: Idaho's only law school offers an exceptional legal education, hands-on experiential learning opportunities, and a welcoming community that's earning national attention.

👏 Thank you to our outstanding alumni, faculty, staff, current students and admissions team for helping tell the Idaho Law story and inspiring the next generation of legal leaders.

We can't wait to welcome the Class of 2029 this fall! 💛🖤⚖️

⚖️ Congratulations to Idaho Law alumnus Andrew McGinley ('15) on his appointment as a Judge for the Miami-Dade County Court in Florida!

Appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, McGinley has served as General Counsel for the Florida Department of Children and Families since 2021. Prior to that role, he worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the Illinois Office of the Attorney General.

His appointment is a powerful reminder of the national reach of the University of Idaho College of Law. From Idaho to Florida and beyond, our graduates are serving communities and advancing the legal profession in courtrooms, government agencies, nonprofits and private practice across the country.

💛🖤We are proud to celebrate Judge McGinley's achievement and the impact Idaho Law alumni continue to make nationwide.

🔗Read the announcement here: https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2026/governor-ron-desantis-makes-nine-judicial-appointments

🎉 Congratulations to University of Idaho College of Law students Irene Sinopoulos and Cody Cheairs on being named 2026 Summer Associates with Hall & Evans, LLC! ⚖️

This summer, Irene is gaining valuable legal experience with the firm's Las Vegas office while Cody is working alongside attorneys in Hall & Evans' Boise office.

Their accomplishments highlight the many opportunities Idaho Law students have to gain practical, real-world legal experience through summer associate positions, externships and clerkships across Idaho and the West. These experiences help students build professional skills, receive mentorship from practicing attorneys and expand their professional networks before graduation.

We are grateful to Hall & Evans and the many law firms, courts, government agencies and organizations that partner with Idaho Law to provide meaningful experiential learning opportunities for our students. 💛🖤

🔗Read more: https://www.hallevans.com/welcome-to-our-2026-summer-associates/