20240416Email Correspondence with Norman Semanko.pdf

From: Norman M. Semanko<[e-mail]>
Sent:Tuesday,April 16, 2024 4:30 PM
To: Michael Duval <[e-mail]>
Cc: Dayn Hardie <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: SWS-W-24-01: Intervention
Michael,
Thankyou for the follow up. I am glad to provide some additional specifics regarding my previous
representation. I am allowed to share these details pursuant to Idaho Rule of Professional Conduct
1.6(b)(5); see also comment[10] (authorizing a lawyer to reveal information relating to the
representation of a former client when reasonably necessary to establish a defense against a legal
claim made against the lawyer by the former client).
As mentioned in my letter of April 1, 2024, my prior representation was not of CDS Stoneridge
Utilities, but did involve Chan Karupiah. I was contacted by a mutual acquaintance of Mr. Karupiah
in early 2012 about legislation in the Idaho State Legislature dealing with a proposed minimum lake
Level for Lake Cocolalla in North Idaho. I was asked to help with opposing the proposed lake level
from being approved by the Legislature. Upon checking on the status of the legislation, I
determined that the minimum lake level matter was dead and was not going anywhere in the
Legislature,which I reported back to the mutual contact,thereby ending the engagment. I did
nothing further regarding the matter or for Mr. Karupiah or any of the interests that he has, at that
time or at any time since.The 2012 legislative matter was completely unrelated to the current PUC
matter involving Mr. Karupiah's interests. In the relevant terminology of Idaho Rule of Professional
Conduct 1.9(a),the matters are not"the same or substantially related."As a result, under any
reasonable reading of the Rule, I am not prohibited from representing SPOA against Mr. Karupiah's
interests in this separate and unrelated matter before the PUC,without informed consent,
confirmed in writing. In addition, I did not gain any information during the course of my previous
representation in 2012 that could be used to Mr. Karupiah's disadvantage in the current PUC
proceedings. If I had, I would be prohibited from using it under Idaho Rule of Professional Conduct
1.9(c), again as mentioned in my letter of April 1,2024.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to me.
Regards,
Norm Semanko
Norman M. Semanko
PARSONSAttorney at Law
Parsons Behle&Latimer
LATIMER 800 West Main Street, Suite 1300 • Boise, Idaho 83702
Main +1 208.562.4900 • Direct+1 208.562.4909 • Fax[phone]
Professional
Law Corporation I parsonsbehle.com • NSemanko(d)parsonsbehle.com • vCard

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From: Michael Duval <[e-mail]>
Sent:Tuesday, April 16, 2024 3:57 PM
To: Norman M. Semanko<[e-mail]>
Cc: Dayn Hardie <[e-mail]>
Subject:SWS-W-24-01: Intervention
Hey Norm,
Thankyou for speaking with me today about SPOA's Petition to Intervene.Thank you for being
willing to provide some clarity on your former representation.
Sincerely,
Michael Duval
Michael Duval I Deputy Attorney General
State General Counsel and Fair Hearings
Office of the Attorney General I State of Idaho
208-334-0320 1 www.puc.idaho.gov