Practice areas: Criminal Defense, Family Law, Employment Litigation; view more
Licensed in Idaho since: 1995
Education: Albany Law School
Languages spoken: English, French
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2024 - 2025 Call today:
208-306-3360
Bolton Law PLLC
2317 N. Merrit Creek LoopCoeur D'alene, ID 83814 Visit website
A highly esteemed attorney with 30-plus years of experience, K. Jill Bolton fiercely defends her clients’ rights. Founder of Bolton Law PLLC in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, she offers her practice a wealth of knowledge and unique perspectives. With a solid background handling cases spanning family law, criminal defense, employment law and appeals, she navigates intricate federal prosecutions and addresses sensitive family issues with the same level of dedication.
Ms. Bolton pursued her legal education at Albany Law School, earning her Juris Doctor and distinguishing herself as an Edgar & Margaret Sandman fellowship. Prior to that, she graduated cum laude from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in international relations and French, engaging in enriching experiences abroad and legislative internships in Washington, D.C.
Well-regarded by her clients and peers for her relentless determination and unwavering demeanor in the courtroom, Ms. Bolton attributes her commitment to justice. Leveraging her substantial background as a former state prosecutor and federal assistant U.S. attorney, she approaches each case with a wealth of resources. Upholding the principles of integrity and fairness, she advocates tirelessly for her clients in criminal proceedings and workplace discrimination cases.
Besides her legal practice, Ms. Bolton is significantly involved in community service. Epitomizing her belief in giving back and creating positive change outside the courtroom, she serves on the boards of esteemed legal organizations such as the Federal Defender Services of Idaho and the Justice for Fraud Victims Project at Gonzaga University. She is a proud member of the Idaho State Bar, the Federal Bar Association and the Idaho Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Dedicated and skilled, Ms. Bolton has garnered widespread recognition. She has been recognized with a “Very Good” rating on Avvo. Her outstanding contributions to the legal profession have earned her numerous accolades, including the Chief’s Citation Award from the Spokane City Police Department and commendations from several federal agencies.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Family Law, Employment Litigation: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - General: PlaintiffFocus areas
Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Custody & Visitation, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Employment Discrimination, False Accusations, Felony, Misdemeanor, Murder, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Sex Offenses
- 30% Criminal Defense
- 30% Family Law
- 20% Employment Litigation: Plaintiff
- 20% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1995, Idaho
Professional Webpage: https://www.kjboltonlaw.com/about-jill-bolton
Bar / Professional Activity
- Idaho State Bar Employment & Labor Law Committee Chairperson - Voted Idaho State Bar Section of the Year 2023 Board of Directors, Federal Defender Services of Idaho National Associations for Public Defense - Public Defense College Faculty Criminal Justice Act Panel - US District Court - District of Idaho Idaho Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Idaho State Bar US District Court District of Idaho Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 -Criminal Defense, 2023
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Dismissal of Murder Charges: Jill obtained the dismissal of 2nd Degree murder charges for her client -upheld by Idaho Supreme Court in State v. Moore, 516 P.3d 1054 (2022); State of Idaho v. Nicholas Sunseri, 165 Idaho 9 (2018), Jill won her Idaho Supreme Court appeal of her client’s attempt to withdraw his guilty plea to a domestic violence crime, a plea which would have deprived him of his 2nd Amendment rights, but for which he was not given notice. Jill obtained the Idaho Supreme Court’s reversal of the lower courts’ decisions, thereby permitting her client to withdraw his plea, restore his gun rights and establishing clear standards in Idaho that make it easier for clients to withdraw their pleas pre-sentencing.; ADA discrimination lawsuit - Jill successfully obtained a substantial confidential settlement for the plaintiff in a federal civil rights employment discrimination case for a disabled client. Family Law - Jill tried several family law cases to successful conclusion for her clients including obtaining primary physical custody of minor children and substantially greater marital assets division awarded to her clients. , 2023
- Matej-Tharp v. Tharp - Magistrate entry of permanent protection order for client affirmed on appeal to district court on behalf of family law client. , 2025
Representative Clients
- State v. Moore - successful suppression of unlawfully obtained confession and subsequent dismissal of second-degree murder charges. Idaho Supreme Court affirmed dismissal in State v. Moore, 516 P.3d 1054 (2022). Matej-Tharp v. Tharp - Kootenai County appeal of Magistrate decision granting permanent protection order, affirmed on appeal to district court (2025). , 2022
Pro bono / Community Service
- Jill served as a Judge for the Gonzaga University School of Law Oral Advocacy competition , 2022
Educational Background
- Boston University, B.A. cum laude, 1990
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Jill served on the faculty of the public defense college - instructing attorneys in the area of criminal defense trial practice., Faculty, National Association for Public Defense, Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2022
- Jill presented to attorneys during a trial practice seminar on direct examinations of witnesses at trial in criminal cases. , Lecturer, Direct Examinations, Idaho Public Defense College, Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2022
- Jill presented to ISB employment lawyers regarding the experience of a Title VII of the Civil Rights Act employment discrimination plaintiff for CLE credits to section members. , Lecturer, The Title VII Plaintiff, Idaho State Bar Labor & Employment Law Section Meeting, Employment Lawyers, 2021
- Jill authored an article for the Idaho State Bar journal regarding the Fifth Amendment and the comparison of Idaho and Federal treatment of the rights of criminal defendants., Author, Pleading the Fifth and the Erosion of Due Process, Advocate (Idaho State Bar) 66, Attorneys, 2023
- Jill presented at the Fall conference of the IACDL on Bringing and Winning your Motion to Suppress., Lecturer, Idaho Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2022
- Served on the faculty of the Idaho State Public Defense College course, instructing lawyers on criminal trial practice - June, 2021, Faculty, National Association for Public Defense, Defense Attorneys, 2021
Honors
- Jill served as Chairperson of the Idaho State Bar Employment and Labor Law Section which was awarded the Idaho State Bar Section of the year as nominated by members of the Idaho State Bar., Idaho State Bar Section of the Year -Employment & Labor Law Section, Idaho State Bar, 2023
Office location for K. Jill Bolton
2317 N. Merrit Creek Loop
Coeur D'alene, ID 83814
Phone: 208-306-3360
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2024 - 2025
