Meet the Team
We are happy you're here.
Problem Solving, Counseling, Compliance, & Litigation Strategies.
IEL Offers Sophisticated Employment Law Advice In A Small, Local Firm Setting Where Service & Efficiently Achieving Client Goals Are Priorities.
We provide top-notch employment law services to employers of all sizes and work efficiently to meet our clients’ needs. We provide on-demand training on topics such as Supervisor training, Americans with Disabilities Act, Anti-discrimination/harassment, How to Conduct Workplace Investigations and can offer train the trainer courses. We are committed to staying on top of cutting-edge issues and assisting employers in navigating through ever-changing challenges including COVID.
Our team is award winning and is eager to help in any way they can!
Meet the Team Below:
Pam Howland
Owner/ Litigator/ Investigator
Pam Howland has been litigating cases in Idaho state and federal courts since 2001 and has represented employers from around the country against claims encompassing a variety of employment laws, including claims of discrimination, harassment, non-compete, wrongful termination, FLSA, FMLA and ADA.
She has tried cases in both state and federal court, has defended employers in arbitration proceedings, and regularly helps employers resolve claims through mediation.
In addition to her employment litigation practice, she also regularly counsels employers on how to avoid litigation on topics related to discipline, termination, retaliation, internal policies and procedures, and evolving (and complex) laws such as the FLSA, ADA, and FMLA.
In February 2016, Pam formed Idaho Employment Lawyers, a boutique firm dedicated to handling Idaho employment law issues.
Pam is passionate about employment law and speaks regularly on employment law topics. In the past year, she has spoken to a variety of different audiences, including attorneys, paralegals, human resource professionals, business owners, and students on performance management, work place investigations, harassment and discrimination, social media, and changing laws on gender identity and sexual orientation. Pam is dedicated to assisting employers and human resource professionals as they maneuver through the minefield of changing employment laws and guidelines.
Pam is active in the Idaho State Bar and the local community. In 2021, Pam was the recipient of the Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award.
ADMISSIONS:
Idaho State Bar
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
United States District Court, Idaho
Washington State Bar
EDUCATION:
Gonzaga University School of Law, Juris Doctor, summa cum laude
Gonzaga Law Review
National Appellate Advocacy Competition Team
Montana State University, B.S.
Pamela S. Howland
Rated by Super Lawyers
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Emily Pillman
Attorney
Emily joined Idaho Employment Lawyers in 2023 as a legal intern. Since then, she has graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law. Emily is passionate about helping employers navigate through all facets related to running a business. Prior to law school, Emily worked with employers to resolve payroll and human resource system issues. Now, as a licensed attorney, she enjoys resolving complex legal issues, building relationships with employers, and setting clients up for success.
As someone who did not grow up in Idaho, Emily is very proud to call Idaho her home. She fell in love with Idaho the first time she visited and is eager to use her legal education to be of service to our community.
In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time with her fiancé, family, and friends. She also enjoys getting outside whenever she can.
ADMISSIONS:
Idaho State Bar, 2024
U.S. District and Bankruptcy Court, District of Idaho, 2024
EDUCATION:
University of Idaho College of Law, Juris Doctor, 2024
Boise State University, Bachelor of Arts, 2020
Dispute Management/Resolution Certificate
Skagit Valley College, Associate of Arts, 2018
Doug Plass
Attorney
Doug Plass joined Idaho Employment Lawyers as a legal intern in 2021. He has since completed his legal studies and earned a law degree from the University of Idaho College of Law. Doug comes to the law after a career in the restaurant industry where he served as chef and operated restaurants in Washington and Idaho. His extensive experience in the food service industry gives him a unique perspective on the legal issues that employers face. He hopes to develop a practice devoted to assisting employers in navigating the challenges inherent with balancing business needs and responsibilities to employees. He recognizes that Employment Law is an ever-changing landscape, and that employers and their employees can benefit greatly from counseling and advocacy that is informed by the latest developments in the field. He is excited about solving problems and not deterred by complicated and thorny circumstances.
Doug enjoys gardening, riding his bike and otherwise spending time in the outdoors with friends and family.
ADMISSIONS:
Idaho State Bar, 2022
U.S. District and Bankruptcy Court, District of Idaho, 2022
EDUCATION:
University of Idaho College of Law, Juris Doctor,
magna cum laude, 2022
University of California at Davis, M.S. in Population Biology, 2006
University of Washington, B.S. in Biology, 2001
Seattle Central Community College, Associate of Culinary Arts, 1996
Jennifer Walrath
Attorney
Jennifer is experienced in dispute resolution. She has been practicing for fifteen years, including in the areas of employment law defense and compliance. She began her career in Washington, D.C., first with Baker Hostetler LLP and then with Dentons US LLP. While in D.C., Jennifer gained valuable experience litigating a wide variety of complex matters in federal and state courts in multiple jurisdictions.
Jennifer resettled in Idaho in 2019 and, for the past four years, has concentrated her practice on employment defense, dispute resolution, compliance, and counseling. Jennifer has substantial employment law litigation experience. She regularly appears in Idaho federal and state courts, and in 2021, second-chaired an eleven-day jury trial in federal district court in Idaho.
Jennifer also routinely helps employers resolve claims through informal settlement discussions and mediation. Her practice includes counseling employers on terminations, performance and conduct related discipline, and other employment decisions. She also helps employers implement compliant policies, procedures, and best practices, and conduct employee and supervisor training.
Jennifer is a member of the Idaho Women Lawyers, and was a part of the 2021-2022 class of the Idaho Academy of Leadership for Lawyers (IALL). She also has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Idaho College of Law and Concordia University School of Law, teaching legal research and writing, and practical legal skills courses.
ADMISSIONS:
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 2022
Idaho State Bar, 2019
U.S. District Court, District of Idaho, 2019
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 2022
U.S. Tax Court, 2015
U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, 2009
U.S. District Court, District of Columbia, 2009
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, 2009
District of Columbia Bar, 2008 (inactive)
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 2008
Virginia State Bar, 2007 (inactive)
EDUCATION:
Georgetown University Law Center, Juris Doctor, cum laude, 2007
National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition
Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law and Policy
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, B.A. in Political Science, with Highest Distinction, 2004
Linda Jones
Paralegal
Linda Jones joined Idaho Employment Lawyers in 2022. Linda has served as a paralegal for 28 years and has experience working in a variety of areas, including civil litigation, employment law, contract review and negotiation, family law and intellectual property law.
EDUCATION:
University of South Dakota, B.A. (Criminal Justice), 1986
Boise State University, Certificate in Paralegal Studies, 1994
Associations:
Secretary, Idaho Association of Paralegals – 1998-2001
VP, Policy and Public Affairs, Idaho Association of Paralegals – 2002-2003
Board Advisor, Idaho Association of Paralegals – 2004-2006
Haley Apple
Marketing Coordinator and Legal Assistant
Haley joined IEL in 2023 after graduating from Boise State with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and human resources. While at Boise State, Haley played four years on the BSU Women's Soccer Team and graduated magna cum laude. Growing up in Boise, she has worked for local businesses for the entirety of her work career and has aided in growth and success at each one. She is passionate about helping businesses in Idaho thrive. Her unique experience gives her a well-rounded background to support IEL clients and attorneys.
EDUCATION:
Boise State University, B.A. in Business Administration and Human Resources, 2022
