Longtime Registrar, Former Judge Honored for Judicial Service

BANNOCK COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) – Two individuals with nearly a century of combined judicial experience have received the two most prestigious awards in the state of Idaho’s justice system.

Paula Larsen, Legal Assistant in Bannock County, received the Douglas D. Kramer Award, which recognizes excellence in court administration through demonstrated character and action.

Larsen worked for Bannock County Courts for five decades starting this fall. These decades have included great developments in Idaho’s justice system. Larsen’s career has included case work, financial duties, and commissioning for local judges; it has taken care of everything from legacy paper file systems to the modern electronic court management system. Her work has made her a mentor to many other clerks and she is seen as a role model for the respect and dignity she shows to others.

Retired Idaho Supreme Court Judge Roger Burdick received the George C. Granata Jr. Professionalism Award, which recognizes outstanding professionalism of a magistrate, district or senior judge .

Burdick retired earlier this year after 47 years as a lawyer, judge and judge. Over time, he served as a prosecutor and public defender, trial judge, district judge, and oversaw the Snake River Basin Adjudication, Idaho’s water rights tribunal. Throughout his career, he became known for his efforts to transform the quality of the justice system for the benefit of the people of Idaho. In the process, he headed both the Magistrate’s and District Judges’ Associations, served as an Administrative District Judge, and served as the Chief Magistrate’s Judge for the Idaho Judicial Council.

The two annual awards are named after former judges who are highly regarded for their approach to service within the judiciary.

The awards were presented in ceremonies at last week’s state judicial conference, held online to support COVID-19 precautions.