601 W Bannock St, Boise, ID 83702 | (208) 388-1200 | info@givenspursley.com

Practice Areas

LitigationMedia LawEmployment Law

Industries

AgricultureFood Processing andManufacturingHealthcareMediaReal Estate Development,Construction and InvestmentTechnology

Debora Kristensen GrashamPartner

dkk@givenspursley.com(208) 388-1287

Deb helps individuals and companies manage the uncertainty and risksthey face when they find themselves in litigation. Her significantexperience and strategic approach to resolving conflicts makes her atrusted advisor to clients throughout Idaho and the west. Deb’s practicefocuses on commercial and employment litigation with a specialty inmedia law.

After a successful career at a national law firm representing pro footballteams, a Triple Crown winner and national media entities, Deb joinedGivens Pursley in 1999 to provide her clients with big firm representation,at small firm rates. Since then, Deb has done just that; combining herexperience and natural outgoing personality to become a well-known andrespected litigator throughout the region.

A good commercial litigator understands the issues presented, but a greatone also understands the clients and industries that they work in. Over thecourse of her more than 30-year career, Deb has immersed herself inindustries as diverse as agriculture, real estate, health care andintellectual property to successfully guide clients through all phases ofcomplex litigation. She is a problem solver that lawyers and judges admirefor her integrity and clients trust with their livelihoods.

Deb is also known as one of Idaho’s premiere media attorneys. Sheregularly represents national media and media entities throughout Idahoin a variety of litigation matters, including prior restraints, defamation,privacy and access disputes. With such unique experience, she is oftencalled upon to serve on media organizations and court committees, as wellas author the Idaho portion of several national media publications.

While Deb’s accomplishments in court are impressive, so too is hercommitment to the legal profession and her community. Deb generouslydonates her time to the state and federal bars, including serving asPresident of the Idaho State Bar and on numerous boards and committeesfor the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. A long-time history buff, Deb serveson the boards of the Idaho Legal History Society and the Ninth JudicialCircuit Historical Society, and is the author of a book chronicling theremarkable lives of the first 50 women to be admitted to practice law inIdaho. Deb has also served on several community, school and religiousboards and organizations, including as Chair of the Citizens LegislativeCompensation Committee, Riverstone International School, and as amember of Boise City’s History and Arts Committee.

Recognition

Distinguished Lawyer Award, Idaho State Bar (2021)Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (Litigation:Commercial Litigation) (2021)Best Lawyers in America Lawyer of the Year (Employment Law -Management) (2016)Top 50 Women Mountain States Super Lawyers (2009 - present)Professionalism Award, Idaho State Bar (2013)Best Lawyers in America - Labor Law and Employment Law (2010 -present)Martindale-Hubbell – highest ranking (AV)Mountain States Super Lawyers - Business Litigation (2009 -present)Justice Byron S. Johnson Distinguished Service Award (2011)Federal Bar Association Exemplary Service Award (2011)Best Article of the Year in The Advocate, the Idaho State Bar'smonthly magazine (recognizing article entitled: Perspectives fromthe Past: Oral Histories of Idaho Lawyers and Judges) (2008-2009)Woman of the Year Award from the Idaho Business Review (2006)Kate Feltham Award from Idaho Women Lawyers, Inc. (2005)Accomplished 40 Under 40 Award from the Idaho Business Review(2004)Tribute to Women in Industry (TWIN) award from the Women's andChildren's Alliance (1998)

Education

J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law (Editor-in-Chief, SantaClara Law Review)B.A. in Psychology, University of California at Berkeley

Admissions

IdahoCalifornia (inactive)WashingtonU.S. Supreme CourtNinth Circuit Court of AppealsU.S. District Court (Idaho, Western Washington, Eastern Washington,Northern California, Central California)

Bar Related

Volunteer, Guardian ad Litem Attorney, Fourth Judicial District, CASAProgram (2019-present)Member, Fourth District Magistrate Selection Commission(nominated by Fourth District President, confirmed by Board ofCommissioners of the Idaho State Bar) (2015-2018)Mentor, Idaho Trial Skills Academy sponsored by Idaho State Bar(March 6-7, 2015)Member, Public Information Committee (formerly Courts andCommunity Committee) of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (2015-present)Member, Advisory Board of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals(appointed by Chief Circuit Judge) (2012-present)

Member, Conference Executive Committee, Ninth Circuit Conferenceof the United States Courts (responsible for planning programs forannual Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference) (2008-2011)Officer, Lawyer Representatives Coordinating Committee, NinthCircuit Conference of the United States Courts (responsible forgoverning 178 lawyer representatives in Ninth Circuit and planningprograms for Chief District Judges and Chief Bankruptcy Judgesannual meetings) (2008-2011)Chair, Lawyer Representatives Coordinating Committee (2010-2011)Co-Chair, Lawyer Representatives Coordinating Committee(2009-2010)Vice Chair, Lawyer Representatives Coordinating Committee(2008-2009)Member, Local Civil Rules Committee for the District of Idaho (2009-present)Lawyer Representative for the District of Idaho, Ninth CircuitConference of the United States Courts (2005-2008)Bencher & Bencher Emeritus, American Inns of Court No. 130, Boise,Idaho (2006-present)President, American Inns of Court No. 130, Boise, Idaho (2010-2012)Vice-President, American Inns of Court No. 130, Boise, Idaho(2009-2010)Secretary, American Inns of Court No. 130, Boise, Idaho (2008-2009)Member, Idaho Supreme Court’s Electronic Records Committee(2006-2009)Member of Idaho Supreme Court’s Idaho Administrative Rule 32Committee (2012-2016)President, Idaho State Bar (2005) (third woman elected to positionin the history of Idaho State Bar)Commissioner, Idaho State Bar Board of Commissioners, FourthJudicial District Representative (2002-2005)Founding Governing Council Member, Appellate Practice Section ofthe Idaho State Bar (2014-present)Executive Board Member, Idaho Partners Against Domestic Violence(2005-2007)Founding Member, Media and Courts Conflict Resolution Panel,statewide committee established by the Idaho Supreme Court’sMedia and Courts Committee to resolve disputes between the benchand press (2004-present)Member, Judicial Independence and Integrity Committee, IdahoState Bar (2003-2009)Barrister, American Inns of Court No. 130, Boise, Idaho (2002-2005)Member, Editorial Advisory Board for The Advocate, the monthlymagazine of the Idaho State Bar Association (2001-2003).Founding Member, Fourth Judicial District’s Media/Courts Committee(1999-present)Founding Member, Idaho Supreme Court’s Media and CourtsCommittee (1998-present), Member of statewide “Fire Brigade”(group of judges, lawyers and media representatives called upon toaddress exigent circumstances involving access to the courts)Founding Member, Public Information Committee of the Idaho StateBar (1998–2001; 2005-2008)

Community

Officer, Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society (2017-present)Chair (2020-present)Vice Chair (2019-2020)Treasurer (2017-2019)Secretary (2017)

Member, Board of Directors, Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society(2012-present)Member, Programs Committee (2016- present)Chair, Social Media Committee (2017-2019)Founding Member, Idaho Legal History Society (joint effort betweenstate and federal courts in Idaho to collect and preserve Idaho’slegal history) (2005-present)Chair, “Tents to Towers” project (project to collect 150 years of legalhistory in Idaho into a coffee-table book; involved in significantfundraising for effort)President, Idaho Legal History Society (2008-2010)Vice President, Idaho Legal History Society (2006-2007)Member, Citizens’ Committee on Legislative Compensation(nominated by Idaho Supreme Court, appointed by Governor) (2006present)Chair, Citizens’ Committee on Legislative Compensation (2012-present)Member, Parent’s Council, University of Puget Sound (2014-2016)Founding Member, ProHelmet.org, a non-profit organizationdedicated to increasing awareness of helmet safety for children inall high-impact sportsMember, Visual Arts Advisory Committee of the Boise City ArtsCommission (2006-2012)Trustee, Riverstone Community School Board of Trustees(2003-2009)Chair, Riverstone International School Board of Trustees(2006-2008)Secretary, Riverstone Community School Board of Trustees(2005-2006)Board Member, Bishop Kelly Foundation (1999-2005)President, Bishop Kelly Foundation (2001-2003) (first woman electedto this position)Secretary, Bishop Kelly Foundation (1999–2000)Chair, Bishop Kelly Foundation’s 1999 “Winner’s Choice Dinner &Auction”Co-Chair and Procurement Committee Chair, Bishop KellyFoundation’s 1998 “Winner’s Choice Dinner and Auction”Member, Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry (1999–2010)Member, 1999 Tribute to Women and Industry (“TWIN”) AwardCommittee, sponsored by Women and Children’s Alliance.Member, Idaho State Broadcasters Association Board of Directors(1998–2002)Selection Committee, Annual Max Dalton Open Government Award,sponsored by the Idaho Newspaper Foundation (1998–2016).Participant, Leadership Boise sponsored by the Boise Area Chamberof Commerce (1997–1998)Chair, 1998–1999 Leadership Boise “Education Day” planningcommittee

Member, Boise Area Chamber of Commerce (1996–present)Member, City Club of Boise (1996–2008)Member (1996–present), First Amendment Lobbyist (1996-2002), At-Large Member of Board of Directors (2014-present), Idaho PressClubVolunteer, Rake Up Boise (2008-present)Member, St. John’s Catholic Church (1996 – present)

Publications

Grasham, Early Women Lawyers Who Helped Secure the Right toVote in Idaho, 63:11/12 The Advocate 16 (November/December2020).Grasham, “Defamation Law” presented to University of Idaho,College of Law’s Advanced Torts class in Boise, Idaho (September29, 2020).Grasham, “Overview of Idaho’s Public Records Act,” presentation atInvestigative Reporters and Editor’s workshop in Boise, Idaho(September 28, 2019).Grasham, “Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society,” featured speakerfor Law Day CLE hosted by the Fourth Judicial District BarAssociation (May 1, 2019).Kristensen, Opportunities for Lawyers to Work with the FederalCourts, 61:5 The Advocate 35 (May 2018).Kristensen, Open Government Guide (Idaho chapter), 50 state-survey published by the Reporter’s Committee for Freedom of thePress (2018).Kristensen, Survey of Idaho Employment Privacy Law, published bythe Media Law Resource Center in its annual 50-State Survey (1998to present).Kristensen, Survey of Idaho Employment Libel Law, published by theMedia Law Resource Center in its annual 50-State Survey (1998 topresent).Kristensen, Survey of Idaho Libel Law, published by the Media LawResource Center in its annual 50-State Survey (2004 to present).Kristensen, Survey of Idaho Media Privacy and Related Law,published by the Media Law Resource Center in its annual 50-StateSurvey (2016 to present).Kristensen, “Appellate Practice Before the Ninth Circuit,” panelist atDistrict of Idaho’s annual conference in Fort Hall, Idaho (September2016).Kristensen, “Square Peg in a Round Hole: Regulating GroundwaterQuality at CAFOs under RCRA,” Water Law in Idaho, Boise, Idaho(September 13, 2016).Kristensen, “When Animal Manure is Regulated Like MunicipalDumps – Imposing RCRA Liability on Agricultural Operations,”National Institute of Animal Agriculture, Indianapolis, Indiana (March25, 2015).Kristensen, presentation “Emerging Threat of RCRA Liability UponAgricultural Operations” to American Farm Bureau Federation inKansas City, Missouri (June 19, 2014).Kristensen & Carter, presentation “Farm Business Law: RegulatoryUpdate” at NBI seminar in Boise, Idaho (June 13, 2014).Kristensen, Design and Implementation of a Legacy Project,

presentation to the Idaho Academy of Leadership for Lawyers (Feb.10, 2012).Kristensen, What I Didn’t Learn in Law School, panel presentation tothe Young Lawyers Section of the Idaho State Bar (Oct. 19, 2011).Kristensen, Breakfast with the Bench, organized featuredpresentation for Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference in Carlsbad,California (August 17, 2011).Kristensen, Idaho Legal History: Advancing the Rule of Law,presentation at Idaho State Bar Annual Meeting, Sun Valley (July 13,2011).Kristensen, Open Government Guide (Idaho chapter), 50 state-survey published by the Reporter’s Committee for Freedom of thePress (2011).Kristensen, The First 50 Men in Idaho Law, 53:10 The Advocate 54(October 2010).Kristensen, President’s Message, Idaho Legal History Society’squarterly newsletter (2008-2010).Kristensen, Welcome from the President of The Idaho Legal HistorySociety, 51:11/12 The Advocate 13 (November/December 2008).Kristensen, Perspectives from the Past: Oral Histories of IdahoLawyers and Judges, 51:11/12 The Advocate 14(November/December 2008).Kristensen, 118 Years in the Making: A Woman Takes the FederalBench in Idaho, 51:2 The Advocate 13 (February 2008).Kristensen, invited participant in the University of Idaho’s College ofLaw day-long program with first year students entitled“Professionalism: First Steps in Law School – Foundation of a Career”(August 14, 2007).Kristensen, Reporter’s Privilege Compendium (Idaho chapter), 50state-survey published by the Reporter’s Committee for Freedom ofthe Press (2007).Kristensen, Profile: Edith Miller Klein, 6:4 Idaho Magazine 22(January 2007).Kristensen, Passing the Torch – Beyond the First 50 Women in IdahoLaw, 49:3 The Advocate 19 (March 2006).Kristensen, Tools of the “Fourth Estate” in Idaho, 48:12 TheAdvocate 17 (December 2005).Kristensen, Tapping Official Secrets: Idaho, published by theReporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in its annual 50-StateSurvey of state public record and open meetings laws (2005-2006).Kristensen, Individual Rights in a Changing World: The FirstAmendment and Public Schools, presentation to middle and highschool teachers and lawyers on behalf of the Idaho LawFoundation’s “Lawyers in the Classroom” project in Boise (June 17,2005).Kristensen, participant in Business and Professional Women’sLeadership Summit chaired by U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison(nominated as participant by U.S. Senator Mike Crapo), Washington,D.C. (May 16-17, 2005).Kristensen, Judicial Independence Under Attack, Op-Ed piecedistributed throughout state of Idaho on behalf of the Idaho StateBar (May 4, 2005).Kristensen, Keynote Speaker to New Admittees of the Idaho State

Bar, Idaho Supreme Court (April 28, 2005).Kristensen, organized and hosted statewide reception and dinnerevent entitled “The First 50 Women in Idaho Law” at the GroveHotel in Boise to honor the first 50 women admitted to the bar inIdaho (March 10, 2005).Kristensen, 1895-1975: The First 50 Women in Idaho Law, publishedby the Idaho State Bar (2005).Kristensen, The Five Men Who Made the First Idaho Women AttorneyPossible, 48:3 The Advocate 11 (March 2005).Kristensen, President’s Columns, 48:2-7 The Advocate (February –July 2005).Kristensen, Ten Things You Should Know About Practicing In Idaho,presentation at the Idaho State Bar’s Practical Skills Seminar inBoise (October 1, 2004).Kristensen, “Getting to Know State Government,” James E. RogersDistinguished Lectureships at Idaho State University (September 14,2004).Kristensen, Convocation Speaker at the University of Idaho Collegeof Law (August 18, 2004).Kristensen, Ten Things You Should Know About Practicing In Idaho,presentation at the Idaho State Bar’s Practical Skills Seminar inBoise (April 30, 2004).Kristensen, The First Amendment at Work in Idaho, speaker atUniversity of Idaho Law Symposium entitled “First Amendment andthe Media: Exploring Contemporary Legal Problems Facing America”(April 2, 2004).Debora K. Kristensen, Media Law in Idaho: Where are We?, 40 IdahoL. Rev. 395 (2004).Kristensen, Media Ethics, presentation to Leadership Boise (January22, 2004).Kristensen, Under the Microscope: News Media Coverage andPortrayal of the Legal Process, moderate panel discussion forCitizen’s Law Academy (October 6, 2003).Kristensen, In Search of Judicial Independence, 46:6 The Advocate27 (June 2003).Kristensen, Keynote Speaker to New Admittees of the Federal CourtBar, U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho (April 24, 2003).Kristensen, Media Coverage of the Law, moderate panel discussionfor Citizen’s Law Academy (November 4, 2002).Kristensen, Media and the Courts, presentation at the Russian andAmerican Judicial Systems seminar in Boise, Idaho, sponsored byUnited States District Court for the District of Idaho (August 9,2002).Kristensen, Finding the Right Balance: American Civil Liberties inTime of War, 44:12 The Advocate 20 (December 2001).Kristensen, Developments in Idaho Law, presentation to annualmeeting of the Idaho State Broadcasters Association, Sun Valley,Idaho (July 27, 2001).Kristensen, Idaho’s Open Meeting Law and Public Records Act,presentation to annual meeting of the Idaho Press Club (May 5,2001).Kristensen, Is it Like it’s on TV?, moderate panel discussion forCitizen’s Law Academy (May 1, 2001).

Kristensen, Censorship and the First Amendment, presentation toBoise Branch, American Association of University Women (January13, 2001).Kristensen, Idaho Court Rejects Multiple Libel Claims Brought byFormer Executive Director of Housing Authority, LDRC Libeletter at17 (December 2000).Kristensen, Privilege for Accurate Reporting of Court RecordsReaffirmed, LDRC Libeletter at 21 (September 2000).Kristensen, panelist for ACLU Idaho and Boise Public Librarysponsored discussion entitled Free Speech: Can it Be Too Free?,Boise, Idaho (September 28, 2000).Kristensen, Privilege for Accurate Reporting of Court RecordsReaffirmed, LDRC LibelLetter at 21-22 (September 2000).Kristensen, newsroom seminar on Idaho Public Records Act andIdaho Open Meetings Law for the reporters and editors of The BoiseWeekly (August 9, 2000).Kristensen, Developments in Idaho Law, presentation to annualmeeting of the Idaho State Broadcasters Association, Sun Valley,Idaho (July 28, 2000).Kristensen, moderate panel discussion for Leadership Boise class onFree Speech in Today’s Society (January 13, 2000).Kristensen, National Developments in Media Law, speaker at CLEentitled “From the Internet to Invasion of Privacy: Current LegalIssues for Attorneys and the Media” presented by the Idaho StateBar Association (October 15, 1999).Kristensen & Fearnside, newsroom seminar on national mediadevelopments and ethical guidelines training for the reporters andeditors of The Idaho Statesman, Boise, Idaho (September 27-28,1999).Kristensen, California Narrows Application of Neutral ReportPrivilege, 17:1 Communications Lawyer (Spring 1999).Kristensen, When and How to Use Public Records Laws, presentationto Boise State University journalism students (February 18, 1999).Kristensen, From Copyright to Newsgathering: How to Avoid LegalProblems and Pitfalls, presentation to annual meeting of ParentingPublications of America, San Diego, California (January 29, 1999).Kristensen, moderate panel discussion for Leadership Boise class onTension Between the Public’s Right to Know and an Individual’sRight to Privacy (January 14, 1999).Kristensen, Agricultural Disparagement Statutes, presentation toACLU members in Boise, Idaho (October 21, 1998).Kristensen, What Can You Say About an Idaho Potato?, 40:7 TheAdvocate 18 (July 1998).Kristensen, Legal and Ethical Traps for the Press, Idaho NewspaperAssociation Roundtable Seminar, Moscow, Idaho (June 12, 1998).Kristensen & DeVore, Summary of Privacy Law in Idaho, newsroomseminar for the reporters and editors of The Idaho Statesman, Boise,Idaho (February 12, 1998).Kristensen, The History of the First Amendment, presentation tostudents at Boise High School, Boise, Idaho (December 10, 1997).Kristensen, 1997 Changes to Idaho’s Public Records Act, newsroomseminars for the reporters and editors of The Idaho Statesman,Boise, Idaho (November 5-6, 1997).

Cameras in the Courtroom, guest on KIVI-TV’s “Newsmakers”program (aired August 10, 1997).Current Legal Issues Affecting Newspapers, panelist for NewspaperAssociation Managers Annual Meeting, Whistler, B.C. (August 7,1997).What’s New in Broadcasting in 1997?, speaker at Idaho StateBroadcasters Association Annual Meeting in Sun Valley, Idaho (July19, 1997).Kristensen, Cameras in Idaho’s Trial Courts: Their Time Has Come,39:8 The Advocate 8 (August 1996).