Michael Wetherell papers

Judge Michael “Mike” E. Wetherell was born March 2, 1945, in Redding, California to Robert and Rose Wetherell. He was raised in Mountain Home, Idaho and graduated from University of Idaho in 1967 then received a law degree from George Washington University in 1972, passing the Idaho State Bar the same year.

Judge Wetherell worked for Senator Frank Church from 1967-1977, serving as his chief legal counsel from 1971-1974. In 1977 after resigning from his position with Senator Church he returned to Boise, Idaho to practice law. In 1985 he ran in the Boise City Council election and won, he served on the council until 2003 holding the position of president from 1987-1991 and again from 2002-2003.

Judge Wetherell was also active in state politics, he was the chair of the Idaho Democratic Party from 1990 to 1993 and ran in elections for the Idaho State House of Representatives, Idaho Attorney General, and Idaho Supreme Court. In January 2003 he was sworn in as a District Judge in the Fourth Judicial District of Idaho where he remained until his retirement in 2014.

Aside from his political involvement Judge Wetherell was the president of the Idaho Epilepsy League, regional director of the Epilepsy Foundation of America, president of the Boise Kiwanis Club, a member of the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS), served on the board of governors of Idaho Trial Lawyers Association, and acted as editor of the Idaho Trial Lawyers Magazine.

Judge Wetherell lives in Boise, Idaho with his wife Karen Mackenzie Wetherell.