---
title: "Chris Schwartz | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chris-schwartz-id-trial"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Chris Schwartz

Idaho Magistrate Division, Judicial District 1 · Magistrate Judge

## Profile

- Court: Idaho Magistrate Division, Judicial District 1
- State: Idaho
- Role: Magistrate Judge
- Service status: active

## Summary

Chris Schwartz — Idaho Magistrate Division, Judicial District 1

## Biography

### Professional career

- Partner at Schwartz/Gillihan until its transition to Gillihan Law in July 2026
- Magistrate judge, First Judicial District, Kootenai County; investiture July 10, 2026; fills the vacancy left by the death of Judge Robert Caldwell in April 2026
- Public defender, Kootenai County

### Education

- Political Science, University of Idaho — B.A.
- University of Idaho — J.D.

### Additional information

- Chris Schwartz’s appointment was part of a June 2026 announcement naming two new magistrate judges for the First Judicial District — Matthew A. Rakes and Chris Schwartz — to replace James Combo (retired) and Robert Caldwell (deceased).
- Own practice from 2019; partner, Schwartz/Gillihan, Coeur d'Alene.
- Commission notice gives the name Christopher David Schwartz.
- Caldwell had served 17 years as a magistrate judge in Coeur d’Alene

## Sources

- [biography](https://bonnercountydailybee.com/news/2026/jun/23/new-magistrate-judges-named-bonner-county-daily-be/)
- [current_membership](https://isc.idaho.gov/about-the-courts/judicial-directory)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Idaho Rules for Electronic Filing and Service, Rule 6](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-0c38e11cda2478da65cd7ff5) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://isc.idaho.gov/rules-procedure/irefs). Collected 2026-07-27.