Longtime Boise bankruptcy attorney Joseph M. Meier has been appointed as a judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Idaho, to succeed U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Jim Pappas, who is completing his 28th year of service. Bankruptcy judges serve 14-year, renewable terms, and are appointed through a merit selection process.

“Joe Meier is well respected by both the bench and bar in Idaho and beyond,” said 9th Circuit Chief Judge Sidney Thomas, who announced the appointment today. “We are extremely pleased to welcome such an experienced bankruptcy practitioner to the federal bench.”

Meier, 59, has been a partner with the Boise law firm of Cosho Humphrey LLP since 1985. In 2017, he was awarded the Idaho State Bar’s professionalism award; in 2005, he was named a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy. A graduate of the University of Oregon, he holds a law degree from Willamette University School of Law.

Meier will begin his judgeship on March 23.

The federal bankruptcy court in Idaho had 3,771 bankruptcy filings in federal fiscal year 2017. It has two judge positions.