About Tony

I grew up on the Western Slope of Colorado, primarily in the small towns of Durango and Cortez, and graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1994.  During law school and for a year after graduation, I worked in Denver for an agency that provided services to run-away and homeless youth before moving to Idaho in 1995.  I was a Public Defender for Twin Falls County for several years before I started working for Benoit, Alexander, Sinclair, Harwood and High.  I was at Benoit Alexander for almost ten years, continuing my criminal defense practice in addition to insurance defense litigation and general business representation.  I was the managing partner at Benoit Alexander when I left to start Valdez Law Office in 2009.  Criminal defense has been the hallmark of my thirty (30) year legal career, and I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the Idaho Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.  Since 2000, I have also represented the State of Idaho – ISIF before the Industrial Commission in worker compensation cases.  In 2021, I became Executive Director and Legal Counsel for the Idaho Funeral Service Association, adding the privilege of advising funeral service professionals in Idaho to my long-standing trial practice.