McLaughlin earns honor for judicial professionalism
Judge Michael McLaughlin has been honored by the Idaho Judiciary for his judicial professionalism.
A district judge for the Fourth District, Judge McLaughlin is this year's recipient of the Granata Award, presented each year to an Idaho judge in recognition of his or her professionalism.
McLaughlin serves in Elmore County on occasion, is a former judge here, and a long-time former Mountain Home resident who graduated from Mountain Home High School.
The recipient of the prestigious award is selected by virtue of their significant contributions over a substantial period to the Idaho judicial system, the impact of their professionalism, and their status as a role model.
The award is named for the late Judge George G. Granata Jr. who exemplified judicial professionalism during his more than 20 years on the Idaho bench.
Fourth District Judges Darla Williamson and Ronald Wilper nominated Judge McLaughlin for his leadership on a variety of issues including organizing bench/bar meetings in the local Fourth District, building and organizing the Ada County Mental Health Court, serving as a featured speaker at new judge's orientations and before other groups and for his leadership in enhancing the image of the judiciary and serving as an effective role model for fellow judges.
In their nomination letter, Judges Wilper and Williamson highlighted Judge McLaughlin's significant contribution of building the mental health court in Ada County from scratch saying "he has done an excellent job in organizing this court and in bringing it to successful fruition. Society and mentally ill defendants have greatly benefited as a result of his positive efforts."
Judge McLaughlin graduated from the University of Idaho in 1973 and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Idaho, College of Law in 1976. He opened his own practice in 1976. From 1981 to 1984 Judge McLaughlin served as Elmore County Prosecuting Attorney and then returned to private practice. In 1991 he served as Magistrate Judge Fourth Judicial District until 1997 when he was appointed by Governor Phil Batt as District Judge for the Fourth Judicial District. Judge McLaughlin is an active member of his community and has been a member of numerous associations and organizations including the American Arbitration Association, CARES Advisory Board and the Idaho Supreme Court Media Committee.