he firm was established in Idaho Falls in 1973 when Tim Hopkins and Skip French joined forces with the shared vision of creating a general practice, full service law firm committed to the delivery of quality legal services throughout the region. In 1994, the firm expanded to include a Boise office when Bill Roden, a long time Boise practitioner, joined the group. Today, the firm remains committed to the original vision of its founders, as it continues to serve its local, regional and national clients and their changing needs for legal services. It has earned a reputation as a dynamic leader in the profession with an enviable record of success.

The firm is proud of its professional and public role throughout Idaho, and committed to fostering integrity and excellence in the profession. It strives to create a collegial environment in which its members can develop and flourish as practicing lawyers, leaders in the profession and their community, and personally as individuals. Participation in civic, cultural and public affairs is encouraged, as are opportunities for public service and pro bono work.

The firm looks forward to continued growth as it seeks to more effectively and efficiently serve the needs of its valued clients. To fill that need, it is continually looking for those who share its commitment to the profession, demonstrate their excellence, intellect, and capacity for the work, and share the desire for a legal career in a mid-size firm in the heart of the Northern Rockies, regardless of experience level. Unlike some, the firm has no master plan to hire “x” new lawyers each year. Instead it hires as the firm’s growth dictates, or whenever particularly outstanding candidates appear. The firm typically interviews on campus each fall at the law schools located at the University of Idaho, Utah State University, Brigham Young University and Gonzaga University. However, inquiries from any area of the country are welcomed, as are inquiries from experienced lawyers interested in lateral transfers.

Locations

The firm’s main office is located in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Situated on the banks of the upper Snake River, Idaho Falls is the fast growing hub of commerce and development in Eastern Idaho. It is a regional center for healthcare, shopping, tourism, and entertainment, and home base for the Idaho National Laboratory, located on the high desert west of town. As of the 2000 census, the population was just over 50,000 for Idaho Falls proper, with nearly 120,000 in the surrounding “metro area.”

Idaho Falls is often listed in the top ten rankings of American small cities in terms of job prospects, quality of life and cost of living by those who study and publish such things. It offers many features of big city living, such as its own symphony, opera, chamber orchestra, community drama, performing arts groups, museums, and the like, while still maintaining a friendly, small town feel. The greenbelt along the Snake River through town also hosts many community events each year, including outdoor concerts, art fairs, a farmers market and the annual “Duck Race.” For those occasionally looking for even more big city amenities, Salt Lake is 200 miles south and Boise is 250 miles to the west.

Sitting at an elevation of 4,700 feet, the city is immediately surrounded by irrigated farm land, home to Idaho’s famous potatoes, with high desert and soaring mountains beyond. The climate is relatively dry, with warm summers and cold winters. For outdoor recreation enthusiasts, Idaho Falls is hard to beat. The Tetons and Jackson Hole are 90 miles to the east, Yellowstone 110 miles to the northeast, Sun Valley and the Sawtooth range 120 miles to the west and the Central Idaho Wilderness, largest in the lower 48, 150 miles to the northwest. As a result, world class hiking, climbing, skiing, camping, fishing, hunting and river running opportunities abound just a short distance away in every direction.

Although the firm maintains offices in both Idaho Falls and Boise, and Boise is a thriving, dynamic city as well, most new positions with the firm are in the Idaho Falls office. Two of the three lawyers in our Boise office devote their practices exclusively to governmental relations work, and consequently, the need for new hires there is relatively minimal by comparison.

Summer Associate Positions

The firm typically hires one, and on occasion two law students for summer positions following completion of their second year in law school. The firm’s summer associate program is primarily designed to expose each participant to legal practice and life at the firm, while conversely providing firm members an opportunity to spend some time with the student in the firm’s working environment. When the match appears to be a good one, summer associates are frequently offered associate positions upon graduation, subject to the firm’s needs at the time. During their stay, each summer associate is assigned a specific partner or senior associate as a mentor who assists in coordinating an appropriate workload and is available to address any questions or concerns that may arise. However, most participants find the firm environment a relatively informal one, where the doors of most lawyers are open to them most of the time. Over the course of a summer, participants typically have the opportunity to work with nearly everyone in the firm, and also actively participate in the weekly firm meetings with all the lawyers. Summer associates can expect to spend significant time working on research projects, although the firm strives to find opportunities for them to also gain exposure to client conferences, depositions, court hearings and the like, as the occasion arises. Extracurricular activities such as the annual firm picnic are also available. Salaries are competitive for the area, though no benefits are offered.

Full Time Associate Positions

Full time associate positions generally become available as the needs of the firm dictate. On occasion, particularly outstanding candidates are hired regardless of the firm’s immediate need. The firm welcomes applications from recent law school graduates, those approaching graduation, those who are completing judicial clerkships, and those already in practice, in addition to those who have participated in the firm’s summer associate program. Once hired, a specific lawyer in the firm is assigned to act as a new associate’s official mentor, though other lawyers make every effort to be available to the new lawyer for interaction as well. The nature of the work a new associate can expect to perform can vary considerably, depending on when he or she arrives and the needs of the firm at the time. In the beginning, any new associate can expect to spend time on research projects. But new members of the firm who demonstrate the inclination, ability and effort required are encouraged to take on other significant responsibilities at a relatively early stage. The firm believes that every lawyer’s potential is unique, and it is committed to assisting each new lawyer develop and advance their potential in a way that best suits them, as well as the firm. The hope and expectation is that each will ultimately flourish as a committed professional dedicated to serving the best interests of the firm and its clients, and become a partner in the firm in due course. Salaries for new associates are competitive in the area. In addition, the firm offers participation in the firm’s 401(k) plan, a cafeteria plan for health care purposes, paid vacation and sick leave, and pays for reasonable moving expenses, bar membership and other professional dues.

For further information regarding associate and summer associate hiring, or to apply for a position, please contact either Lary Larson or Steve Brown:

Lary S. Larson
Hopkins Roden Crockett Hansen & Hoopes, PLLC
Hansen & Hoopes, PLLC
P.O. Box 51219
428 Park Ave.
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83405-1219
Phone: 208-523-4445
Fax: 208-523-4474
Email: larylarson@hopkinsroden.com

Steven K. Brown
Hopkins Roden Crockett
P.O. Box 51219
428 Park Ave.
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83405-1219
Phone: 208-523-4445
Fax: 208-523-4474
Email: stevebrown@hopkinsroden.com

Staff Positions

Staff positions are filled on an as needed basis in both offices. If you are seeking a challenging career with one of Idaho’s premier law firms, we invite you to take a close look at our firm. Much of our success, as a firm and in the community, is measured by the quality of our staff people and their capabilities and effort, and we value their contribution. We are always looking for talented people to join our team. In addition to offering a challenging and professional work environment, we offer salaries that are competitive in the area and benefits that include participation in the firm’s 401(k) plan, a cafeteria plan for health care purposes and generous paid vacation and sick leave.

For further information regarding staff hiring, or to apply for a position, please contact our Office Administrator, Theo Storer:

Theo Storer, Office Administrator
Hopkins Roden Crockett Hansen & Hoopes, PLLC
P.O. Box 51219
428 Park Ave.
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83405-1219
Phone: 208-523-4445
Fax: 208-523-4474
Email: theostorer@hopkinsroden.com

HOPKINS RODEN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER FOR ALL EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS.