Attorney
Chad is a small-town guy with a big worldview. Growing up in rural Idaho motivated Chad to get out and see the world. He first traveled abroad to Argentina as an exchange student and has since lived, worked, and travelled around the globe. After years of teaching English in Japan and working his way across New Zealand, Chad found himself longing for home.
In 2010, Chad moved back to Idaho with his travel mate and soon-to-be wife, Michiko. Motivated to find a meaningful career, Chad worked his way through law school. From medical malpractice to immigration, Chad learned about different areas of the law by working in them. After graduating from law school in 2016, Chad stepped into a trial attorney position in criminal defense. In that role, he spent years representing ordinary people against the overwhelming power of the government. Then, in 2019, Chad joined Scholnick Birch Hallam Harstad Thorne and embarked upon a career in employment law. In 2024, Chad teamed up with prior colleagues to form Birch Hallam Harstad & Johnson, LLC. In his current practice, Chad continues to represent individuals against powerful entities, both public and private.
Chad and his family love Idaho’s natural beauty. They spend many a weekend soaking in natural hot springs, skiing, biking and just being outside. If you need to break the ice with Chad, ask him about his van. Chad speaks conversational Spanish and basic Japanese.
Education
University of Idaho College of Law, Boise, ID
Juris Doctor, May 2016
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
B.A. in Business Administration, cum laude, May 2007
Experience
Birch Hallam Harstad & Johnson, LLC
Boise, ID
Founding Member, 2024 - present
Scholnick Birch Hallam Harstad Thorne
Boise, ID
Associate Attorney, 2019 - 2024
Ratliff Law Offices, Chtd.
Mountain Home, ID
Associate Attorney, 2016 - 2019
Awards and Presentations
Idaho Academy of Leadership of Lawyers (2024)
Super Lawyers: Mountain States Rising Star (2024)
Organized and Hosted 2024 Employment Law Seminar: Appropriate Conflict Resolution (October 2024)
Current Changes and Exciting Updates in Federal Employment Law – 2023 Federal Bench-Bar Conference (October 2023)
Pandemic Litigation Trends in Idaho – Perspectives from Employment Lawyers and the Idaho Human Rights Commission – 2022 Idaho Employment Law Conference hosted by Idaho State Council of SHRM, (January 2022)
The Nuts & Bolts of IHRC Charge – Idaho State Bar Employment Law Section CLE: (May 2022)
Idaho Termination Law Handbook Update – 2022 Employment Law Seminar hosted by Idaho State Bar Employment Section (October 2022)
Use Restrictions and Terms of Service: A Call to Reform the Overly Broad CFAA, 20 Holy Cross J.L. & Pub. Pol'y 3 (2016)
Noteworthy Cases
Achieved a high seven-figure settlement for family of dedicated government employee tragically killed in truck crash. Deal v. Witt, Transport Designs, et. al. (2023)
Sued fire district for wrongful termination following whistleblower’s open objections to misuse of public funds. Gammel v. Kuna Rural Fire District (2023)
Filed tort claim notice against employer for failing to adequately investigate workplace harassment report resulting in employee suicide. Tharp v. Idaho Department of Corrections (2022)
Litigated claims against municipality and local housing authority for conspiring to discriminate based upon race against housing authority director. Buenrostro v. City of Wilder, Wilder Housing Authority, et. al. (2022)
Sued governmental entity for failing to accommodate and wrongfully terminating longtime employee because of his disability. Cutbirth v. Boise Project (2021)
Memberships
Idaho State Bar, admitted 2016
Labor and Employment Section of Idaho State Bar: Section Chair (2024 - Present), Vice Chair (2023 - 2024), Treasurer/Secretary – (2022 - 2023), At- Large Council Member (2021 - 2022)
Utah State Bar, admitted 2020
Idaho Trial Lawyers Association (2014 - Present)
National Employment Lawyers Association (2019 - Present)