Boise attorney David W. “Tony” Cantrill has been named the new executive director of the Idaho Judicial Council, succeeding the retiring Jim Carlson, who has served in the post since 2011. Cantrill will start on Dec. 1.

The Idaho Judicial Council screens candidates for state judgeships, advises judges on ethical questions, and investigates complaints of judicial misconduct. Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Jones, who chairs the council, said Cantrill was selected from among six well-qualified finalists. “The Council is pleased that so many good candidates stepped forward to seek this important position,” he said. “It was a difficult choice but the Council decided that Tony Cantrill best suited its needs. He is a well-established attorney and highly regarded by members of the legal community.”

Cantrill, who holds a law degree from the University of Idaho and a bachelor’s degree from Idaho State University, has practiced law in Boise since 1970. His practice focuses on insurance defense law and workers compensation law.

Prior to Carlson, Robert Hamlin served as the council’s executive director for 29 years, from 1981 to 2010; he was the council's first executive director.