Sean Carter is a Harvard Law graduate, who spent a decade practicing securities law before leaving the practice of law to pursue a career as the country's foremost Humorist at Law.

Since then, Mr. Carter has crisscrossed the country delivering comedic professional educational seminars for more than 350 legal organizations in three dozen states. His presentation topics run the gamut from legal ethics to stress management to diversity. Yet, all of his presentations have one thing in common -- humor and plenty of it.

In fact, in 2003, Mr. Carter was dubbed "America's Funniest Lawyer" by The Radio and Television Interview Report.

Finally, Sean lives in Mesa, Arizona with his wife and four sons.

The Hon. Javier Gabiola will replace Judge Carnaroli on the panel.   

Judge Gabiola was raised in the “Back 40” of rural Kuna, Idaho, home of the Kuna Kavemen (yes, with a K).  After graduating high school in 1989, he became a member of the brave and bold Vandal Tribe at the University of Idaho, receiving a degree in Political Science and subsequent law degree.  While in law school, he worked as a public defender for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, and also handled civil cases in Latah County.

After graduating law school, Judge Gabiola left the Palouse and returned to the Treasure Valley to practice law for a few years.  Thereafter, he relocated to Pocatello, with a practice primarily in civil litigation for 23 years.  He retired from Cooper & Larsen in February, 2020 upon his appointment to the bench by Governor Little.

When not on the bench, he spends as much time as he can throwing an amalgam of metal, bird feathers and hair to wild trout at super-secret water venues in beautiful East Idaho.

Chambered in Boise, the Hon. Steven Hippler serves as the Administrative District Judge for Idaho’s Fourth Judicial District (2020-present). He attended the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law School of Law, from which he graduated Order of the Coif in 1991.  Judge Hippler spent over 20 years in private practice as a partner in two leading Idaho law firms. His trial practice focused on medical malpractice defense and complex civil litigation. In addition, he was a leader in health care regulatory compliance law in Idaho.

In 2013, after a merit selection process, Idaho’s governor appointed Steve to the district bench. In addition to his general civil and felony caseload (2013-present), he also presided over Ada County’s mental health treatment court (2015-2020). He is a member of the Idaho Supreme Court’s Administrative Conference, the Idaho Supreme Court’s Civil Rules Committee, the Jury Committee, and the Idaho Supreme Court’s Civil Justice Reform Task Force. Judge Hippler frequently lectures to the bar and annually teaches evidence to new judges.

Lee Mickus is a partner in the Denver office of Evans Fears Schuttert McNulty Mickus LLP. He defends manufacturers and other business interests nationally in product liability and tort lawsuits.  He has successfully tried cases to verdict in Colorado, Texas, California, New York, Florida, Montana, Arkansas, and several other states. 

He is Co-Chair of the Lawyers for Civil Justice Rule 702 committee supporting the recent Rule 702 amendment, and in that capacity has written articles, given presentations to judges and lawyers, provided comments and submissions, and testified to the Advisory Committee on Evidence Rules about the need for these revisions.  He has also presented to the Advisory Committee on Civil Rules and testified before several state legislatures on bills affecting a wide range of civil justice issues.

Joseph N. Pirtle joined Bar Counsel’s office in April 2022. Before then, Joe was a shareholder and civil litigation attorney with Elam & Burke in Boise. Joe received his B.S. in Business Finance from the University of Idaho in 2001 and his J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 2004.

Joe was a member of the inaugural class of the Idaho Academy of Leadership for Lawyers, and later served for three years on its steering committee. He is a past chairperson of the ISB Litigation Section as well as a mentor for the Idaho Trial Skills Academy. Joe served many years as a member of the Idaho Lawyer Assistance Program and was pro bono counsel to the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline for many years.