C. Tom Arkoosh practices in a wide variety of disciplines in civil, commercial, criminal, natural and water resources (including extensive litigation work in the Snake River Basin Adjudication and the Eastern Snake River Plain water calls), and administrative law. He is also an experienced lobbyist and active in public affairs work. Mr. Arkoosh graduated from Harvard College with a B.A. in government and economics and obtained his J.D. from the University Of Idaho College Of Law.
Following law school, Mr. Arkoosh served the Honorable Ray McNichols as Idaho’s first law clerk/bailiff in the Idaho federal court system and instituted a training program for University of Idaho College of Law students. He has served as the Gem County Prosecuting Attorney. Mr. Arkoosh is licensed to practice law before state courts and agencies of Idaho, and formally of Oregon and Washington, U.S. Courts for the District of Idaho, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.
Mr. Arkoosh was a former chairman and member of the Criminal Justice Act panel, was a former chairman of the board of directors of the Federal Defender Services of Idaho. He also served as a member on the board of directors of the Idaho Prior Appropriation Doctrine Association. Mr. Arkoosh has successfully tried or settled numerous commercial, tort, design and criminal cases, before both juries and judges. He has also defended various employers from workmen’s compensation claims within the state of Idaho. He has prosecuted and defended numerous administrative proceedings before no fewer than eighteen of Idaho’s boards and agencies.
Daniel A. Nevala brings years of litigation and transactional experience primarily in the areas of business, construction, real estate, natural resources, agriculture, land use, wills, trusts, and probate law. Mr. Nevala routinely advises business and entity clients in both litigation and transactional matters in the areas of drafting and negotiating key contracts, entity formation, governance, restructuring, statutory compliance, succession planning, dissolution, and alternative dispute resolution matters. He also routinely advises individuals in the areas of contracts, construction law, land use, business and estate planning, business formation, governance, succession planning, employee benefits, executive compensation, and real estate matters in both the transactional and litigation settings.
Mr. Nevala is licensed to practice law in Idaho before all state courts and the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho. Mr. Nevala graduated from the College of St. Scholastica with a B.A. in Management. He obtained his M.B.A and J.D. from Gonzaga University. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the Idaho State Bar Association.
Rachelle “Racie” Smith has over 15 years of unique legal experience. In 2001, Ms. Smith volunteered to join the Idaho Army National Guard, where she served until her honorable discharge in 2009. In 2004, Ms. Smith was deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where she excelled as the Foreign Claims Commission paralegal and successfully accomplished her mission. During her deployment, Ms. Smith processed hundreds of claims against the United States. She was also the first and only woman to present at the first-ever Iraq Judicial Conference for Judges in Iraq. Ms. Smith valiantly earned her Combat Action Badge.
Upon her return, Ms. Smith continued to pursue her legal career as a paralegal until 2014, when she was accepted at Concordia University School of Law. Ms. Smith graduated in May 2018 and ranked 6th in her class. She served as an Associate Law Review Editor for the inaugural edition of Concordia’s Law Review and she was Vice President of the Student Body Association.
Ms. Smith has a diverse background with experience in workers’ compensation, family law, employment law, Child Protection Act cases, criminal defense, and estate planning. She now focuses her practice on family law, employment law, and real estate matters.
Ms. Smith is licensed to practice law in Idaho before all state courts and the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho. She graduated from University of Phoenix with a B.A. in Business Administration. She obtained her J.D. from Concordia University School of Law. Ms. Smith is a member of the Idaho State Bar Association.
Nicholas J. Erekson offers broad and versatile legal expertise to Arkoosh Law Offices, focusing on litigation, estate planning, and compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). He excels in guiding clients through complex legal challenges, advocating for their rights and interests with a commitment to integrity and professionalism. Mr. Erekson earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho College of Law, where he distinguished himself as a member of the National Moot Court Team and Co-Director of Government Relations, developing strong skills in analysis, research, writing, and oral advocacy.
Mr. Erekson’s experience also extends to non-profit and tax law, where he assists non-profit and for-profit clients in structuring businesses and transactions to achieve positive community impact. Prior to private practice, Mr. Erekson served as an ERISA Compliance Manager and Employee Benefit Actuarial Analyst at Milliman, Inc., ensuring compliance and operational excellence for multiple Taft-Hartley benefit plans across the United States.
Mr. Erekson’s early legal career was marked by significant contributions to criminal law as a Deputy Prosecutor at the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office, where he skillfully managed all facets of criminal prosecution from arraignments to trials.
In addition to his legal career, Mr. Erekson is actively involved in his community, currently serving as an elected commissioner for the McCall Fire Protection District. Mr. Erekson’s dedication to public service is further evident through his volunteer work in multiple youth organizations, reflecting his commitment to making a meaningful difference in the community.
Licensed in Idaho and Washington, Mr. Erekson brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of successful legal advocacy to our team. At Arkoosh Law Offices, he continues to apply his wide-ranging skill set to achieve favorable outcomes for our clients in various areas of the law, including civil, commercial, and administrative proceedings.
Clients benefit from Joshua A. Bishop’s extensive courtroom experience, which includes over 70 jury trials and numerous other contested administrative and civil hearings. He excels in leading clients through the difficulties of lawsuits and court proceedings while advocating for their interests and rights. With Arkoosh Law Offices, Mr. Bishop’s practice includes criminal defense, divorce and custody modification actions, business formation and disputes, and civil tort actions.
As a prosecutor for over seven years, Mr. Bishop tried all types of cases from smaller crimes like petit theft to vehicular manslaughter charges. He has over 120 hours of DUI training that was often conducted side-by-side with law enforcement, including attending an 80-hour Drug Recognition Expert school. Mr. Bishop also specialized as a domestic violence court prosecutor, where he trained to use trauma-informed methods for working with victims of crime. As a public defender for four years, Mr. Bishop led a team of 23 misdemeanor attorneys and was a felony attorney handling all types of crimes including drug possession, felony DUI, rape, and murder.
Mr. Bishop’s vast experience litigating cases at trial has laid the foundation for him to scrutinize every detail of a case. Mr. Bishop uses his experience to help a broad array of clients avoid potential pitfalls through goal identification, preparation of sophisticated litigation plans, and strategic planning for resolution.
Mr. Bishop is a fifth-generation Idahoan. He completed his undergraduate studies at Boise State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a minor in Business. Mr. Bishop then became a Vandal and completed law school at the University of Idaho.
When he is not at work, you will find him coaching his three boys’ soccer teams, exploring the outdoors on a raft with his boys and two golden retrievers, or working on classic cars.
Brittanny Mertz is originally from South Dakota, where she worked as a paralegal for 13 years before attending law school. Ms. Mertz moved to Boise in 2018 to attend law school. She started law school at Concordia University School of Law and graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law in 2021.
After graduating law school, Ms. Mertz worked as a law clerk for the United States District Court, District of South Dakota. Prior to joining Arkoosh Law Offices, she worked as a deputy public defender in Ada County. Ms. Mertz’s practice includes criminal defense and family law matters.
She has experience in both criminal prosecution and criminal defense. She defends clients in a wide range of cases, from misdemeanor drug charges, driving offenses, DUIs, and domestic charges, to felony charges. Also, Ms. Mertz represents clients through some of life’s most difficult transitions in family law matters, including divorce, custody modifications, and protection orders.
Outside of the office, Ms. Mertz and her husband have two daughters. Her daughters are active in numerous music programs and jujitsu, which keeps their family very busy.
Attorney
Idaho State University, 2014, B.S. Secondary Education
Concordia University School of Law, 2017, J.D.
Phone: (208) 343-5105
Fax: (208) 343-5456
Kraig A. Smikel is an attorney at Arkoosh Law Offices, focusing his practice on civil litigation and general legal matters. He is known for his steady professionalism, strategic thinking, and commitment to helping clients navigate complex legal issues with clarity and confidence.
Kraig earned his Juris Doctor from Concordia University School of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree from Idaho State University in Secondary Education. He is admitted to practice in all Idaho state and federal courts.
Outside the office, Kraig is a passionate and accomplished rugby coach. A two-time national champion coach, he brings the same discipline, leadership, and team-oriented mindset to his legal practice as he does to the field. His experience coaching at a high level has sharpened his ability to think critically under pressure, communicate effectively, and approach challenges with both preparation and adaptability—skills that directly benefit his clients.
Kraig is proud to be part of Arkoosh Law Offices, a firm known for its deep roots in the community and its long-standing commitment to integrity and client-focused service.
Attorney
Brigham Young University-Idaho, 2019, B.S. in Psychology
University of Idaho College of Law, 2025, J.D.
Phone: (208) 343-5105
Fax: (208) 343-5456
Natalie D. Tanner is a seventh-generation Idahoan and the first law school graduate in her family. While in law school, Ms. Tanner volunteered for the ACLU and completed two internships in family and criminal law. She joined Arkoosh Law Offices shortly before graduating in 2025. Ms. Tanner is happy to be able to utilize her education to help family law clients.
As an avid reader, Ms. Tanner’s favorite credential is her library card. Outside of work, you can find her at the library, running the Greenbelt, or at the movies. Ms. Tanner also picked up swing dancing while in law school and enjoys going to regional competitions.
Managing Senior Paralegal
Boise State University, 2008, B.A. in Mass Communication/Journalism
Phone: (208) 343-5105
Fax: (208) 343-5456
Carman Morgan has been a paralegal with Arkoosh Law Offices since 2020. She graduated from Broadview University with an A.A.S. in Paralegal Studies in 2016. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to assist attorneys in a variety of cases and areas of law. Ms. Morgan takes pride in her work and does whatever it takes to make sure the client is taken care of, regardless of the task or matter at hand.
As an Idahoan almost all her life, Ms. Morgan enjoys the nature our great state has to offer and spends much of her spare time camping, hiking and exploring with her husband, Doug, and their two dogs. She is also an avid musician, and enjoys playing several different instruments and watching live music.
Ms. Morgan has volunteered throughout the valley in many different community events, music festivals, and gatherings. Some of those events include the Boise Green Fest, the Eagle Island Experience, Hyde Park Street Fair, and Sawtooth Valley Gathering.
Ashley Butler joined Arkoosh Law Offices as a paralegal in April 2024, bringing ten years of experience. Ms. Butler knew from an early age that she desired to work in a field where she could help people. Ms. Butler comes from a family of frontline workers, from the military to the fire department to the police and even U.S. Marshals. She obtained her A.A. degree from the College of Western Idaho and a paralegal certificate from Bryant and Stratton College. Since then, Ms. Butler has gained knowledge working in different areas of law, including a strong focus on family law.
Outside of work, Ms. Butler loves spending time with her family and friends. With her husband, Mike, she has a large, combined family: two boys of her own, two stepsons, a stepdaughter, and a Yorkie named Milo. Ms. Butler spends a lot of time cheering on her kids at sporting events near and far. She and her family love to travel and make memories worldwide when they can.
