The Idaho Court of Appeals has selected Judge Jessica M. Lorello to become its next chief judge of the appeals court beginning Jan. 1, according to a press release from the Idaho Supreme Court.
The Court of Appeals consists of four judges who hear appellate cases assigned by the Idaho Supreme Court, and the chief judge presides over the court and its administration.
Lorello has served on the Court of Appeals since 2017, when she was appointed by former Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter. She previously worked as an attorney in private practice and at the Idaho Attorney General’s Office. Lorello also serves on the Idaho Law Foundation’s Law Related Education Committee, is a founding and current member of Attorneys for Civic Education and is an adjunct professor at the University of Idaho College of Law.
“Judge Lorello understands the vital role of Idaho’s judiciary in our constitutional system of state government and the importance of helping parties and the public to understand that role. I am pleased to appoint her to lead the Court of Appeals,” said Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan, who appointed Lorello on Wednesday.
Lorello will succeed Chief Judge Molly J. Huskey, who will remain on the court.