Team

Partner

J. Nick Crawford

Nick Crawford’s history of trial success speaks for itself. He has tried as many civil cases to verdict as any practicing attorney in the State of Idaho (over 120 and counting). A native of Buhl, Mr. Crawford began his career at the largest insurance defense firm in Idaho. There he managed the firm’s office in Twin Falls, Idaho, before moving to Salt Lake City to join the firm of Purser, Okazaki & Barret in 1990. In 1991, Mr. Crawford returned to Boise and resumed his insurance defense practice, where he worked until becoming a founding partner of the firm now known as Brassey Crawford in 1993. An “AV” rated attorney for more than 20 years, Mr. Crawford has extensive trial experience in all aspects of civil defense litigation. His areas of practice include defense of general negligence matters, educational entity defense, products liability, construction defect litigation, automobile litigation, insurance coverage litigation (including first-party insurance fraud claims), wrongful termination and employment defense, agricultural negligence, real estate, ski claims, professional liability, and commercial litigation. As a Fellow of the American College of Trail Lawyers and Litigation Counsel of America, Mr. Crawford has mastered the art of advocacy, exhibiting professionalism and the highest standards of ethical conduct, civility and collegiality. Mr. Crawford is frequently featured as a presenter at seminars for members of the Idaho State Bar and insurance personnel. In 2019, Mr. Crawford was a recipient of the Idaho State Bar’s Professionalism Award.

Partner

Christopher P. Graham

Chris Graham was raised on his family’s farm in New Plymouth, Idaho. Following law school, Mr. Graham served as a judicial law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Jesse R. Walters. Having previously practiced with Andy Brassey and Nick Crawford, he “rejoined” Brassey Crawford in 2019 after more than a decade as a partner at another Boise law firm. Mr. Graham focuses his practice on commercial litigation, construction law, employment law, personal injury, and insurance matters, including coverage and defense. An “AV” rated attorney for many years, he has tried numerous cases to successful verdict for both plaintiffs and defendants throughout the State of Idaho and has argued appeals before the Idaho Supreme Court and Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Graham also maintains an active alternative dispute resolution practice. Because he has represented both plaintiffs and defendants throughout the course of his legal career, Mr. Graham is frequently asked to mediate cases and often serves as an evaluator under Idaho’s Small Lawsuit Resolution Act. He has mediated cases involving personal injury, construction law, and employment matters. Mr. Graham is married to Desiree (Scarlett) Graham, a sixth generation Idahoan and proud graduate of Boise High School. They have three children. Mr. Graham is an active member of the Idaho State Bar and currently serves on the Governing Council of the Appellate Section.

of counsel

Richard C. Mellon Jr.

Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, after graduation from Ole Miss, Ric Mellon was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. After active service that involved a tour of duty in the Republic of Vietnam, Mr. Mellon enrolled in law school at the University of Tennessee College of Law and graduated in 1973 as a member of the law review and the Order of the Coif. Mr. Mellon then moved to Idaho and after clerking for Chief Justice Allan Shepard of the Idaho Supreme Court, Mr. Mellon joined a large Boise law firm and specialized in civil litigation and insurance law for 19 years, after which he became Idaho in-house counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. Retiring from that position after 17 years, Mr. Mellon then returned to private practice in 2010 with Brassey Crawford.

Education

University of Tennessee
College of Law
Juris Doctor

University of Mississippi
B.A., History

Associate

Jason Murray

Jason Murray is a life-long Idaho native. During law school, he worked as an extern for then US. Magistrate Mike H. Williams. He joined Brassey Crawford, PLLC, in 2017 after working for several years as in-house trial counsel for a nationally known and recognized insurance company. Prior to that time, he had attained the level of partner in one of Idaho’s oldest and biggest law firms. Over the course of his more than 20 years of practice, Mr. Murray has successfully tried numerous cases before the state and federal trial courts, and has presented appellate argument before the Supreme Court of Idaho. Mr. Murray is a defense litigator who focuses on medical malpractice, physician licensing, and other health care law issues, having represented numerous physicians, hospitals, assisted living and long-term care facilities. He has obtained summary judgments for physicians in multiple medical malpractice cases, and has frequently advised physicians on legal and other health care issues. In the health care law arena, Mr. Murray has advised hospitals and physicians on issues relating to EMTALA, HIPAA, and medical staff bylaw issues. Mr. Murray has also represented clients with issues involving other areas of professional malpractice, insurance defense, employment, personal injury and commercial litigation. Mr. Murray has volunteered as an attorney in the Fourth Judicial District CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children. He enjoys golfing, baseball, enjoying the abundant natural beauty that Idaho has to offer, and spending time with his family.

Associate

Ryan Janis

Ryan Janis is an Idaho native, born and raised in Boise and completed both law school and his undergraduate education at the University of Idaho in Moscow. Following his admission to the bar in 2014, Mr. Janis’ practice has been focused primarily on civil defense litigation, but he also offers a broad range of legal services to all-manner of clients. Mr. Janis has obtained numerous favorable results for his clients at all stages of civil litigation, in both state and federal court. He has a wealth of trial experience, and has obtained favorable jury verdicts for his clients in multiple counties in Idaho. Mr. Janis has also obtained a substantial number of winning results for his clients in summary judgment proceedings. He has also successfully argued before the Idaho Appellate Courts on multiple occasions. Mr. Janis represents clients with all manner of legal needs, and his areas of practice include insurance defense, construction defect litigation, defense of general negligence matters, insurance coverage litigation, wrongful termination and employment defense, commercial litigation, products liability, professional liability, and all types of personal injury litigation and other civil litigation matters. During law school, Mr. Janis worked as an intern with the Canyon County Public Defender’s office, managing a full case load working with indigent defendants. He also worked as an extern with the United States Attorney’s Office, assisting in the prosecution of cases on behalf of the United States government. Before joining Brassey Crawford in 2015, Mr. Janis volunteered at the Idaho State Bar, working directly with bar counsel among other assumed duties. An Idaho native, with his free time Mr. Janis enjoys the multitude of recreational and outdoor activities that Idaho has to offer including skiing, hiking, biking, and recreational sports. He also enjoys spending time with his wife Kari and their two Goldendoodles Mack and Millie.