Stoel Rives Announces New Leadership Appointments in Boise

BOISE, Idaho — Stoel Rives LLP, an AmLaw 200 firm, announced today that Christopher Pooser has been named Office Managing Partner of the firm’s Boise office as of February 1, 2021. As Office Managing Partner, Pooser is responsible for the day-to-day management of the office, supporting its business activities and recruiting efforts. In his new role, Pooser succeeds Nicole C. Hancock, who was appointed to Stoel Rives’ Executive Committee on January 1, 2021.

“Christopher has an exceptional track record as an appellate attorney and has been dedicated to building our business in Boise and mentoring staff throughout his career with Stoel Rives. We look forward to continued success in Boise under his leadership,” said Melissa Jones, Stoel Rives’ Firm Managing Partner. “We are grateful to Nicole for her leadership in Boise over the past five years. Her deep knowledge of the firm and commitment to achieving our goals make her a strong and positive voice on the firmwide Executive Committee.”

Pooser, who joined Stoel Rives’ Boise office in 1998, has built a strong practice representing clients in commercial litigation matters in federal and state appellate courts. He argues before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and Idaho Supreme Court and advises Stoel Rives attorneys on creating strong appellate arguments in California and the firm’s other offices. He is the co-founder and past chair of the Idaho State Bar’s Appellate Practice Section and was an editor and contributor to the Idaho Appellate Handbook (6th ed. 2019). He serves as an Appellate Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference and is a member of the Idaho Supreme Court’s Appellate Rules Advisory Committee.

As Office Managing Partner, Pooser will be involved in planning for the return of Stoel Rives’ attorneys and support personnel in Boise to the office post-pandemic, optimizing efficient use of the firm’s office space to provide a safe work environment for all staff. Stoel Rives’ Executive Committee is closely following vaccination developments to coordinate a safe and efficient return to in-office work.

“Stoel Rives’ Boise office has been my professional home for my entire legal career, and it is my privilege to serve as the Office Managing Partner,” said Pooser. “I look forward to guiding the office as we continue to strategically grow our business and recruit top legal talent to support our clients.”

Hancock initially joined the firm in 2003. She is a partner in Stoel Rives’ Litigation practice group, and will continue her practice as a trial attorney, in addition to her new role on the Executive Committee. A highly-respected litigator who has successfully first-chaired trials in federal and state courts, arbitration, and regulatory actions, Hancock also serves as outside general counsel for companies, using her prior experience as in-house counsel for a global seed company to provide legal services that mitigate against corporate risk and exposure. She served as Boise Office Managing Partner from 2015 to 2020.

“I am excited to join our Executive Committee, where we will be working hard at growing our firm and ensuring we are providing exceptional quality service for our strong client base, as well as reinforcing our efforts to distinguish our firm’s initiatives prioritizing diversity and inclusion,” said Hancock.

The seven-member Executive Committee provides strategic leadership and direction for Stoel Rives, delegating operational management to the Firm Managing Partner, Melissa Jones, and making all operating decisions and policies for the partnership.

Stoel Rives is a leading business law firm in Boise, offering innovative legal solutions to clients in a wide range of industries. The Boise team’s primary practice groups include Corporate, Litigation, Natural Resources, and Real Estate.