Top Estate Lawyers Near Me in Pocatello Area

Raised on a family cattle ranch along the Bear River in southeast Idaho, Randy’s strong ethic for hard work and responsibility has translated into success as an attorney. He has long-held Martindale-Hubbell’s AV rating, awarded to attorneys whose peers rank their ethical standards and legal ability at the highest level. With more than three decades of experience, a deep knowledge of his core practice areas, and trust from the legal community, Randy has a proven ability to effectively and efficiently resolve legal problems that confront his clients.. Between ranching, fishing and hunting, Randy developed an early appreciation for natural resources. His legal career followed the same path, focusing on real estate and natural resource transactions and development. He now advises some of eastern Idaho’s largest mining, irrigation and agriculture enterprises, including Monsanto Company, Hess Pumice, Idaho Ground Water Appropriators, Aberdeen-Springfield Canal Company, Gehring Agri-Business, and Koompin Farms.. Randy is lead counsel in the ongoing monumental water disputes between surface and ground water users across southern Idaho, representing several ground water districts made up of businesses, municipalities, and farmers that irrigate nearly a million acres. His results-oriented approach to solving legal problems, and his ability to sort through complex legal issues and focus on the things that matter, has enabled ground water users to avoid curtailment despite multiple threats, ongoing litigation, and the worst drought in recorded Idaho history.. Randy also enjoys the personal connections that are built through strategic business and estate planning. Over the years he has organized businesses and prepared estate and succession plans for hundreds of farmers, ranchers, small businessmen and families. He understands that the maxim “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is especially germane to these events.

Mr. Budge specializes in real estate, water rights, and natural resource law, representing cities, corporations, banks, developers, and landowners throughout Southern Idaho in a wide range of transactions, administrative proceedings, litigation, and appeals. He has worked on some of Idaho’s largest real estate developments, was intimately involved with the Snake River Basin Adjudication, and has advised clients in connection with more than $100 million in real estate transactions. His experience includes land use, planning and zoning, agriculture, water rights, the Clean Water Act, easements, road disputes, boundary disputes, eminent domain, mining, and energy.. T.J. approaches legal challenges with the goal of identifying solutions that can be implemented quickly and cost-effectively. He has argued cases before the Idaho Supreme Court, Idaho Department of Water Resources, Idaho Department of Lands, United States Environmental Protection Agency, and local government boards throughout eastern Idaho. The legal, historical, and practical insights gained from these experiences enable T.J. to provide clear and cost-effective solutions to the most difficult legal challenges that face our clients. Professional Memberships and Activities. Mr. Budge is licensed to practice law in both Idaho and Utah. He is the current President of the Portneuf Inn of Court, a past Board member of the Water Law Section of the Idaho State Bar, and a current member of the Real Estate Section and the Water Law Section of the Idaho State Bar. His article A Fluid Transaction: Buying and Selling Water Rights was published in The Advocate, the official publication of the Idaho State Bar.. Awards. Mr. Budge has been awarded the highest AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbel, maintains a 10.0 rating with AVVO, was named the 2010 CASA Attorney of the Year, and has been a finalist for the Idaho Business Review Overachievers Under 40 (2015), Professional of the Year (2016), and Business & Achievement (2017) awards.. Academic Degrees. Speaking Engagements. Personal Information. Mr. Budge is married to Heidi Baurer of Mud Lake, Idaho, and they have four children. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Pocatello Pioneers Mountain Bike Team, he is on the City of Chubbuck Development Commission and the Portneuf Health Trust Endowment Board, he is a member of the Pebble Creek Ski Patrol, and is actively involved in church and other community activities.

In both the community and the courtroom Lane V. Erickson has advocated for his clients for over 17 years.  As a partner with the Racine Law Firm, Mr. Erickson leads the experienced Estate Planning Team in all areas of estate planning, probate and elder law.  His practice also includes business creation and planning, real estate transactions and foreclosure, commercial litigation and employment law.  Mr. Erickson has appeared in state and Federal courts as well as numerous arbitrations and mediations throughout Idaho and Utah.. Mr. Erickson lectures frequently with Sterling Education Services, Inc., and the National Business Institute, Inc., on legal areas including estate planning, landlord-tenant law and employment law issues.  Mr. Erickson also contributes time representing the Guardian Ad Litem in protecting children subject to abuse or neglect.  Locally and nationally, Mr. Erickson is the Chair of the Idaho State Bar, Bar Exam Drafting Committee, is a member of the Idaho State Bar Admissions Rules Committee and was selected to be a member of the national Special Committee on the Uniform Bar Examination through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.. Licensed in all state and Federal courts in Idaho and Utah, Mr. Erickson can be reached by phone at or by e-mail at

I am an experienced and skilled litigator, and I pride myself in my written and oral advocacy skills. I am licensed to practice in all Idaho and Washington courts and have successfully argued cases to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and Washington appellate courts as well as state, federal, and bankruptcy trial courts.. Prior to joining Racine Olson in 2016, I practiced in Seattle, Washington with a nationally recognized mortgage banking law firm representing banks, credit unions, mortgage servicers, and trustees in mortgage and real property disputes.. I was born and raised in Pocatello, and I am thrilled to have settled permanently in Pocatello with my family. In my spare time, I am a fitness enthusiast and enjoy teaching group cycling classes.

Derek holds a B.S. in Business Management from Brigham Young University-Idaho. He pursued graduate studies at the Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, earning a Master’s in Human Resources (MHR) and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). Derek furthered his education at Penn State Dickinson School of Law. His professional experience spans multiple sectors, including roles at Ball Ventures, Utah State University Human Resources, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, and Goldman Sachs. Currently, Derek is an attorney at Beard St. Clair Gaffney PA, specializing in Estate Planning, Business Law, and Employment Law.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Pocatello and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Pocatello and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Pocatello and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Pocatello and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Pocatello and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Pocatello and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Pocatello and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Pocatello and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Pocatello and surrounding areas.

Experienced Estate attorney serving clients in Pocatello and surrounding areas.