Attorney Robert L. Aldridge and the Boise office of Seattle-based Perkins Coie were named the first winners of the new Law Day 6.1 Challenge.

The challenge was sponsored by the Idaho State Bar Association's Fourth District. Winners were announced at a reception Tuesday - Law Day.

They were chosen from among a field of 14 law firms in the Fourth District that submitted detailed 6.1 Challenge Forms.

The term 6.1 refers to a professional rule that requires lawyers to offer a certain amount of free, or pro bono, work in their communities, said Mary Hobson, legal director of the Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program.

The applications were reviewed by a panel consisting of Boise Mayor Dave Bieter, Chief U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill, Fourth District Judge Ronald Wilper, Idaho Supreme Court Justice Linda Copple Trout and Idaho Statesman Editor and Vice President Vicki Gowler.

Aldridge won the small firm competition for his hours spent providing legal aid to churches and individuals on such matters as Medicaid issues, prenuptial agreements, setting up a business, writing wills, and handling insurance claims and property tax problems.

Rick Boardman, managing partner for Perkins Coie in Boise, accepted the award for the competition among larger firms. Its 10 full-time attorneys, two contract attorneys and one part-time attorney provided free legal service to seniors, represented children in court, helped employers with work issues and defended the rights of prisoners.