Kirtlan G. Naylor

Kirtlan G. Naylor has over three decades of legal experience, spanning litigation, appellate practice, and advisory roles. His career focused on defending municipal and public entities, civil rights, employment law, governmental liability, prisoners’ rights, law enforcement liability, and general litigation. He also provided investigative services across various employment and law enforcement issues that required independent review.

Mr. Naylor earned his Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Brigham Young University in 1983. He then pursued his Juris Doctorate at the J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, and graduated in 1986. That same year, he was admitted to practice in Idaho and the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho.

Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Naylor appeared before higher courts, gaining admission to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1993 and the United States Supreme Court in 2002. He argued significant cases, including Garcia v. Brockway, Mueller v. Auker (I and II), Athay v. Stacey, and Billington v. Smith, shaping Idaho’s legal landscape in public entity and civil rights matters.

Mr. Naylor’s service extended beyond litigation into leadership and advocacy. He served as Chairman of the Governor’s Task Force on Children at Risk from 2000 to 2016 and contributed to the Idaho Law Foundation through its Law-Related Education Committee. In 1997, he received the Idaho State Bar Pro Bono Award for his long-standing volunteer service with CASA.

As of November 1, 2024, Mr. Naylor retired from active practice and was certified as an Emeritus Attorney under Idaho Bar Commission Rule 228. In this role, he now provides pro bono legal representation for Guardians ad Litem in Child Protection Cases for CASA in Ada County, continuing his commitment to child advocacy.

Kirtlan G. Naylor’s career reflects excellence in trial and appellate law, dedication to public service, and a legacy of mentoring and advocacy that continues through his emeritus work.

Law Office Affiliations

• Emeritus Attorney, Nelson Williams Law
• Member, Idaho State Bar
• Member, Idaho Law Foundation

Licensed State

• Idaho

Education

• J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Brigham Young University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges