The Hon. Barbara A. Buchanan (Ret.) was a judge for the 1st Judicial District Court of Idaho. She was appointed to the seat by former Governor Butch Otter on January 16, 2013, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Steve Verby. Buchanan retired on January 30, 2023.
The 1st Judicial District includes Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone Counties. She held an assignment in Bonner County. Prior to her appointment, Buchanan presided for eighteen years as a magistrate for the 1st Judicial District.
She joined the bench after working as a private practice attorney since 1986. Before that, Buchanan clerked for two years with the Idaho Supreme Court.
Buchanan received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho. She then completed a J.D. at the University of Idaho College of Law in 1983. Buchanan was admitted to practice in Idaho (1983) and the United States District Court for the District of Idaho (1983).
She served as a board member of the nonprofit Food for Our Children.
A native Idahoan, Buchanan was raised in Moscow. Following her retirement, she looked forward to spending time with her family and traveling with her husband.