Thomas J. Budge
Associate

Tel: (208) 232-6101
Fax: (208) 232-6109
E-mail: tjb@racinelaw.net





Practice Areas
Real Estate, Natural Resources, Business

Practice Summary
The Economist reported that “water is the oil of the 21st century.” This is especially true in southern Idaho, where water fuels virtually every aspect of our economy—from agriculture to energy, mining, industry, development, and recreation. TJ is fast-becoming an expert in the multifaceted field of law that governs Idaho’s most vital resource. He interned with the Idaho Department of Water Resources during law school, and now represents numerous irrigation entities, industrial and commercial businesses, cities, developers, farmers, ranchers, and individuals in water right matters at all levels.

TJ advocates regularly before the Snake River Basin Adjudication court and understands the unique procedures and laws that govern water right adjudications. He played an integral role in recent monumental cases involving management of the Snake River and the vast Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, gaining valuable insight into key historical events that still influence the administration of Idaho’s waterways. This experience enables him to provide clear and cost-effective solutions to difficult water right challenges.

TJ has assisted with the acquisition of water rights for some of the largest real estate and mining projects in southeast Idaho. This experience led to the publication of his article A Fluid Transaction: Buying and Selling Water Rights in The Advocate, the official publication of the Idaho State Bar. His knowledge of water law helps buyers ensure that what they receive in terms of water quantity, quality, reliability, and flexibility meets their needs and expectations. Lenders rely on TJ to analyze and properly perfect their security interests in water rights.

As a member of our Real Estate and Natural Resource Practice Group, TJ has also developed expertise in real estate transactions and development, land use planning, public utility law, and eminent domain proceedings. He approaches legal challenges with the goal of identifying solutions that meet client needs quickly and cost-effectively. He prefers to resolve disputes cooperatively, but is able to successfully pursue judicial relief when necessary. He has advocated for clients before numerous courts and government agencies, including the Idaho Supreme Court, Idaho Department of Water Resources, United States Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, and planning and zoning boards throughout eastern Idaho.

Professional Memberships and Activities
TJ is licensed to practice law in Idaho and Utah and before Federal Courts. He is on the board of the Water Law Section of the Idaho State Bar and the treasurer of the Portneuf Inn of Court. He has made presentations to various civic and professional groups, including a recent presentation to the Idaho Water Users Association on an Idaho Supreme Court decision involving conjunctive management of surface and ground water sources.

Academic Degrees
TJ obtained a bachelor's degree in business marketing from Idaho State University in 2003. At ISU he was active in student government and interned in the Washington, DC office of Senator Mike Crapo.

TJ obtained his law degree from the University of Idaho in 2006. There he competed on the University of Idaho National Moot Court Team, was employed by the law school as a legal writing teaching assistant, and interned with the Idaho Attorney General at the Idaho Department of Water Resources.

Personal Information
Community involvement is important to TJ. He joined the National Ski Patrol at age 16 and continues to patrol at Pebble Creek as a volunteer. He is also a volunteer attorney in the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Guardian Ad Litem program, was named the 2010 CASA Attorney of the Year for the Sixth Judicial District, provides pro bono legal advice to the Portneuf Greenway Foundation, and is active in scouting and his church.

TJ was born in Logan, Utah, and raised in Pocatello. He loves to explore Idaho’s wild places by foot or ski—especially when shared with family and friends. He and his wife, Heidi Bauer, of Mud Lake, Idaho, have four children.