James H. Hawley, April 16, 1925 (Image courtesy of Idaho Historical Society)

As Idaho’s largest business law firm, Hawley Troxell traces its roots to James H. Hawley. In 1862, at the age of 15, James made his way to Idaho’s goldfields and within two years made enough money to bankroll a legal education. He served as a United States attorney for Idaho before statehood and settled in Boise in 1890. In 1893, James began his private practice alongside Bill Puckett. James proved a strong leader in politics, he was Boise County Committee Chair for six years and was elected mayor of Boise in 1902 serving a single two-year term.

1907 marked the year the Governor of Idaho was assassinated by Harry Orchard resulting in the Trial of the Century, which thrust James Hawley and Senator William Borah into the national spotlight as prosecutors opposite Clarence Darrow. Hawley and Borah prosecuted Western Federation of Miner’s official “Big” Bill Haywood for conspiring to hire Orchard to assassinate Governor Steunenberg.

Governor Hawley arriving at the Governor’s Conference, Albany, NY, 1911 (Image Courtesy of Idaho Historical Society)

Three years later, James Hawley was elected the 9th governor of Idaho in 1910. Hawley’s administration established four new counties, a highway district law, stricter search and seizure liquor laws were put into effect, a location for the state sanatorium was secured, the state constitution was revised to include recall, initiative, and referendum, and the State Board of Education was reorganized under a single entity.

Founding partners of Hawley Troxell Ennis & Hawley. From left Jack Hawley, Paul Ennis, Bob Troxell, and Jess Hawley Jr.

The present partnership of Hawley Troxell Ennis & Hawley was formed in January 1, 1964 when the grandsons of James Hawley; Jess Hawley Jr. and Jack Hawley, joined forces with Robert Troxell and Paul Ennis. The Hawleys combined their litigation practice with Bob Troxell’s business expertise and Paul Ennis’ experience in business and litigation.

Headquartered in Boise since 1964, Hawley Troxell opened an office in Pocatello in 1985, expanded to Ketchum in 1992, and established a presence in Reno, Nevada, in 2003. In 2010, Hawley Troxell expanded to northern Idaho by opening an office in Coeur d’Alene. In 2015 Hawley Troxell merged with the law firm Smith & Banks in Idaho Falls. That same year five attorneys from a local firm joined the Boise office, expanding the Construction, Employment, Health Care, Insurance, Mediation and Arbitration, and Litigation practice areas, while also adding a specialty in the Defense of Amusement and Leisure Industry.

August 1, 2017, Moffatt Thomas and Hawley Troxell joined forces and united as 75 attorneys strong under the Hawley Troxell banner. Combined, the two firms possess more than 100 years of a tradition of excellence in legal service in Idaho and the Intermountain West.

It was 1931 when Willis C. Moffatt started the practice of law in Boise, Idaho. Moffatt was among the state’s legal original legal specialists. His work in the insurance, bonding, and corporate areas was soon recognized on a national scale. His reputation as an expert formed the foundation for the firm which continues to carry his name. In 1956 Eugene C. Thomas joined in practice with Moffatt under the name of Moffatt & Thomas. These include the preparation of enabling legislation and guiding representation for Boise Junior College, now Boise State University, and Blue Cross of Idaho. The firm also drafted the state’s Condominium Property Law and the act providing for a Health Facilities Authority. Both Eugene C. Thomas and Richard C. Fields have served as president of the Idaho State Bar Association and Mr. Thomas served two years as chairman of the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association, the only Idahoan who has held that position. Mr. Thomas also served as President of the American Bar Association in 1987.

On July 1, 2018, Hawley Troxell acquired the law firm Bailey, Hahn and Jarman. John A. Bailey and Carol “Tippi” Jarman joined the firm’s Pocatello office and Frederick “FJ” J. Hahn III was welcomed to the Idaho Falls office. The firm currently has offices in Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Reno.