Roy Eiguren’s decades of experience have earned him a reputation as one of Idaho’s premier advocates of issues before federal, state and local decision makers. As founder of Eiguren Merrill Public Policy, he has an unsurpassed record of successful public issues management, lobbying, regulatory coordination and public policy law outcomes.

The Idaho Year book describes him as “a lobbyist extraordinaire…respected for his wise counsel…[and] a powerful behind the scenes player.” Roy is widely recognized to have stronger ties and connections, and better insight into the upper reaches’ government, than most who are employed in it. He regularly represents clients as a lawyer and lobbyist before departments and agencies of the state and federal governments.

Roy’s expertise in public policy and law is extensive. He has drafted and lobbied for new legislation and amendments to existing laws or proposals and has regularly testified before legislative and administrative committees on his private clients’ behalf. He has organized large coalitions for the successful lobbying and passage of major legislation. Mr. Eiguren has also served as liaison between state and international governments to work out mutually beneficial trade and cultural agreements. Further, he has regularly represented private clients in a wide variety of administrative proceedings, including rulemaking and adjudicatory proceedings before various federal and state administrative agencies.

Additionally, Mr. Eiguren has regularly interacted with senior elected and appointed officials in Idaho state government, including the Governor, the Legislature, and the Attorney General, on a wide variety of matters. He regularly represents clients with the members of the Idaho Congressional Delegation. He has also been responsible for briefing and arguing several major cases before the Idaho Supreme Court.

Before entering law practice in 1984, he was Special Assistant to the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy and served as Chief of the Legislative and Administrative Affairs Division of the Attorney General of the State of Idaho. He also served as a Deputy Secretary of State and as an Ada County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.

Eiguren is an active member of the community.  He is currently a member of the National Philanthropy Board of the American Red Cross and is a Director of Because International. Eiguren served as Chairman of the Idaho Chapter of the American Red Cross, Chairman of the Idaho Capitol Commission (which planned and managed the multi-million-dollar renovation of the Idaho State Capitol Building), Chairman of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, President of the Cennarusa Foundation for Basque Culture and Chairman of the Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center Foundation.

Roy Eiguren was chosen to receive the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award in the Idaho Business Review’s annual Leaders in Law publication. His work and achievements were highlighted in a two page spread in the review (pages 12 & 13). Link to Article (PDF)

He was also the recipient of the Idaho Business Review’s Icon Award in 2020. The Review published an article related to the award highlighting Roy Eiguren’s career in “advocating for change” as he helped to define public policy in Idaho over the decades. Link to Article PDF

In 2023, Roy was featured in the Idaho Business Review’s Power List of the 50 most influential business leaders in Idaho. Roy’s philanthropic activity was particularly noted with his participation on the board of Because International and his ongoing interest in natural conservation efforts and development support for two new major health organizations.

Additionally for many years, Roy Eiguren has been proudly included in multiple editions of The Best Lawyers in America. Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Its methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues. Roy Eiguren and the Eiguren Merrill Public Policy Firm itself were both recognized in the 2021 edition.

Roy Eiguren is a graduate of the Executive Management Program of the Dartmouth School of Business Administration and attended Georgetown University College of Law and the University of Idaho College of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate.