Laura E. Smithman

Melodie focuses her practice on litigation, including commercial, employment, business tort, eminent domain, construction, real property, and procurement matters. Experienced in all stages of dispute resolution, Melodie handles cases from the pre-litigation phase through trial and appeal. Before joining Givens Pursley in 2013, Melodie worked as an associate attorney at a litigation firm in Washington, D.C., and as a trial-level judicial law clerk in Virginia.

Kevin Griffiths is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Kevin, who practices law in Boise, Idaho, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kevin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matt is an effective, strategic, and solution-oriented attorney who has been an integral part of the Elam & Burke team for nearly two decades. He joined the firm in 2003, and in 2009 he became a shareholder and has served on the firm’s Executive Committee for 15 years. Matt is currently serving, for a second time, as the firm’s Managing Director. Born and raised in Montana, Matt learned the value of hard work at a young age where he spent much of his childhood working on a far...

Deborah V. Dunn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Deborah V., who practices law in Boise, Idaho, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Deborah V. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian K. Julian is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Education Law, Employment Law - Management, Insurance Law, Litigation - Labor and Employment and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Brian K., who practices law in Boise, Idaho, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James D. Hovren is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Compliance Law and Corporate Governance Law. James D., who practices law in Boise, Idaho, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian joined Givens Pursley in the summer of 2014 after spending nearly four years at the Boise law firm of Meulman Mollerup LLP. Brian’s practice primarily focuses on business and real estate transactions. Brian’s practice also includes commercial litigation. Brian is a member of the Idaho State Bar’s Real Property and Young Lawyers section, and is a past member of the ICON Credit Union Board of Directors.

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION Best Lawyers in America: Employment Law 2013 2005 Award Recipient, Idaho Business Review's "Forty Accomplished Under Forty" AREAS OF EXPERTISE EMPLOYMENT LAW: Negotiate, draft and enforce employment contracts, employee manuals, non-competition agreements, and non-disclosure agreements LITIGATION: BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE LITIGATION Representation of businesses in contract litigation, secured transaction litigation, insurance litigation, trade...

Joyce Hemmer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Joyce, who practices law in Boise, Idaho, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joyce is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph Wager is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Construction. Joseph, who practices law in Meridian, Idaho, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.