Experience

• Represented a semiconductor manufacturer in conjunction with one of the first multi-plaintiff claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Led the defense of a large manufacturing business named in a multi-plaintiff age discrimination lawsuit that included claims of disparate impact that were dismissed on summary judgment.
• Obtained dismissal in numerous claims advancing breach of contract and other theories intended to circumvent the doctrine of at-will employment and broaden the existing public policy exception recognized under Idaho law.

Honors & Activities

Professional Honors and Activities

• Named by Best Lawyers^® as Employment Law-Management “Lawyer of the Year,” Boise, 2013, 2017 and 2019; Litigation-Labor and Employment “Lawyer of the Year,” Boise, 2015; and Labor and Employment Law “Lawyer of the Year,” Boise, 2011
• Included in The Best Lawyers in America^© (currently: Employment Law-Management, Litigation-Labor & Employment Law), 2006-2019
• Elected as a Fellow in The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers for sustained outstanding performance in the profession
• Recipient of International Law Office and Lexology Client Choice Award in Idaho for Labor & Employment Law, 2014
• Named one of Idaho’s Leaders in the Law by Idaho Business Review, 2014
• Selected as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” (Idaho) by Chambers USA (currently: Labor & Employment), 2006-2018; one of only three Idaho attorneys selected as a “Star Individual” – the highest ranking available in Chambers. Chambers’ commentary and client quotes include: “Jim Dale is the clear standout employment attorney in Idaho, and is acknowledged as such by clients and peers alike. ‘Jim knows more about employment law than anyone else in the state,’ one source enthused” (Chambers USA 2012). He is known to be an “[e]xcellent labor and employment attorney who understands the law and always keeps up to date with the most recent changes.” Clients also note his ability to draw on his extensive experience and to give detailed responses quickly. One client said, “[E]ven though we are one of his small clients, he responds like we are a big client” (Chambers USA 2011).
• Listed in International Who’s Who of Management and Labour & Employment Lawyers, 2012
• Listed in Mountain States Super Lawyers^® (Employment & Labor, Employee Benefits, Business Litigation), 2007-2018
• AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated with Martindale-Hubbell^®
• Member, Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program Policy Council, 2006-2010
• Member, Idaho State Bar; co-chair, Employer Liability Subcommittee for Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, 2004-2006
• Editor, Idaho Employment Law Newsletter, 2001-2004
• Board of Directors, Management Labor and Employment Roundtable, 2001-present
• Member, Idaho Association of Defense Counsel
• Member, Editorial Review Board, Idaho Labor Letter, 1995-1996
• Editor-in-Chief, Idaho Labor Letter, 1996-2000

Civic Activities

• Member, Leadership Committee Access to Justice Idaho Campaign, 2015-2016
• University of Idaho College of Law Advisory Council, 2006-2011: Member Emeritus, 2012-present; Chair, 2011-2012
• Board of Directors, Ballet Idaho, 2001-2004

Insights & Presentations

Reported Decisions

• Paolini v. Albertson’s, Inc., 149 P.3d 822 (Idaho 2006)
• Mitchell v. ZiLOG, Inc., 874 P.2d 520 (Idaho 1994)
• Albertson’s, 116 LA 635 (2002)
• Idaho Dep’t of Health & Welfare v. Syme, 714 P.2d 13 (Idaho 1986)

Insights and Presentations

• “Back to School Briefing – Employment and ERISA Issues Impacting Every Employer’s Semester,” Breakfast Briefing Series, Boise, Idaho, Sept. 28, 2017
• Contributing Author, A Practitioner’s Guide to Class Actions, American Bar Association, Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Section, 2d ed., (Fall 2017)
• “Idaho Supreme Court Refuses to Modify the Workers Compensation Exclusive Remedy Doctrine” (co-author), Stoel Rives World of Employment blog, Nov. 29, 2016
• “Coming soon: paid sick leave for federal contractors,” Idaho Business Review, Oct. 21, 2016 
• “Legal Issues Arising from Temporary Employees, Part Timers, and Independent Contractors,” 11th Annual Labor and Employment Law Advanced Practices Symposium, Las Vegas, Nevada, April 8-10, 2015
• “EEOC Issues Enforcement Guidance Addressing Pregnancy-Related Disabilities,” Idaho Business Review, Aug. 18, 2014
• “Don’t Let the EEOC’s Guidance on Background Checks Put Your Company in Hot Water,” Idaho Business Review, May 2014
• “Employment Law 2014-The Latest Legal, Legislative, Regulatory, and Enforcement News,” 10th Annual Labor and Employment Law Advanced Practices Symposium, Las Vegas, Nevada, March 12-14, 2014
• “Social Media & HR: From Privacy to ‘Protected Concerted Activity,’” 9th Annual Labor & Employment Advanced Practices Symposium, Las Vegas, Nevada, April 3-5, 2013
• “Arbitration of Employment Disputes Post Stolt-Nielsen and AT&T Mobility” (presenter), Best Practice Club, ACC Association of Corporate Counsel, Mountain West Chapter, Boise, Idaho, May 15, 2012
• Contributing Author, A Practitioner’s Guide to Class Actions, American Bar Association, Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Section, Apr. 2010

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