Idaho’s longest-serving judge to leave active service

BOISE – U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge, Idaho’s longest-serving judge ever, will leave active service and take senior status in July, opening up the first appointment of a federal judge in the state since 1995.

That’s the year Judge B. Lynn Winmill was named to the court.

“This is pretty big news for Idaho,” said Elizabeth “Libby” Smith, clerk of the court for the district.

Lodge’s successor must be nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. That process could take a year or more.

Lodge, who is 80, presided over cases ranging from the Ruby Ridge standoff to tribal ownership of Lake Coeur d’Alene. He was a state district judge and a bankruptcy judge before he was named to the federal bench in 1989.

“I think he is truly the heart of our court in so many ways,” said Winmill, now chief U.S. District judge for Idaho. “He has more than 50 years of experience as a judge in our state … truly a remarkable record.”

Senior status allows a judge to continue to serve, while reducing his or her caseload over time. Lodge will continue to maintain chambers and staff in Boise.

“Fortunately, Judge Lodge’s decision to take senior status means that the District of Idaho will, for many years, continue to be blessed by his unmatched ability and skill as a jurist,” Winmill said.

Even prior to Lodge’s announcement, Idaho’s congressional delegation had been seeking an additional U.S. District Court judge for the state, contending both its population and caseload more than justify the addition. Idaho is one of just three states – the others are North Dakota and Vermont – with just two federal district judgeships. It’s been 60 years since the second judgeship was added. Idaho currently has no senior judges to help with its caseload.

Washington has two federal judicial districts. The Eastern Washington district has four district judges and six on senior status; the Western Washington district has seven district judges plus six on senior status.