Executive Director’s Legislative Report
Now that we’re in week three of this legislative session, it’s time for a quick update on what the VBA…
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MINDFUL MOMENTS FOR WELLNESS
Jan. 26*
Feb. 9 & 23*
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Our Mission
The Vermont Bar Association promotes the highest standards of skill, ethics and professionalism within an inclusive legal profession; fosters understanding and respect for the rule of law; supports equal access to a fair and effective system of justice; and provides valuable resources to its members.
Bar News
Former Vermont Supreme Court Justice James L. Morse Passes Away at 82
Retired Vermont Supreme Court Justice James L. Morse passed away at his home in Charlotte on January 13. He…
Judiciary Announces Election Results for Judicial Nominating Board
The Vermont Judiciary conducted an election for new attorney members to the Judicial Nominating Board between Dec. 12 and…
Introducing the VBA’s Brown Bag Law Study Program
The Vermont Bar Association has a long-term focus on developing a diverse, knowledgeable, and vibrant bar. In furtherance of this…
Know a Deserving Pro Bono Attorney? Let Us Know, Too!
Nominations are now open for candidates for VBA’s Annual Pro Bono Service Award. The Award is given each year…
Voting is Open for Judicial Nominating Board Attorney Candidates – Closing Jan 13
For those who may need a quick refresher, Vermont’s Supreme Court Justices, Superior judges, magistrates, and the chair and…
Nominations are in for 2023 VBA Board of Managers
The Nominating Committee of the VBA Board Of Managers met via zoom on December 9, 2022 to consider nominations…
The VBA MIddle School MLK, Jr. Poster-Essay Contest 2023 is Open
The VBA is again holding the popular MLK poster-essay contest for Vermont middle schoolers (grades 6-8). This year, the Dr.…
Holiday Bankruptcy CLE and Luncheon Dec. 2. Register Today!
Who says bankruptcy can’t be festive? OK. Probably there are some who feel that way – but those people…
Call for Nominations – Second Annual Judge Peter W. Hall Integrity Award
The Young Lawyers Division of the Vermont Bar Association (“YLD”) are seeking nominations for the recipient of the second annual…
Do You Want to Be a VBA Board Member?
If you are interested in serving on the VBA Board of Managers, now’s the time to let us know! Being…
ROBERT M. PAOLINI RETURNS TO VERMONT BAR ASSOCIATION AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
After a lengthy nationwide search, the Vermont Bar Association is pleased to announce that it has re-hired Robert M.…
Court Streamlines Attorney Vacation Notice Process Through Odyssey
Starting November 1, 2022 attorneys may email their vacation schedules to jud.centralclerkreview@vermont.gov and the information will be entered into Odyssey…
Post-Pandemic Pro Bono Program Pleases – Swearing-In Ceremony Inspires
After a three-year hiatus, the popular “Celebrate Pro Bono Conference” was back on Sept. 20, live and in-person, at the…
VBA to Offer Notary Continuing Education Webinar on Oct. 31
VBA to Offer Notary Continuing Education Course – Webinar of Oct. 31 Will be Recorded and Available on VBA Website…
VBA ANNUAL MEETING 2022 – THAT’S A WRAP!
More than 90 attorneys gathered at Lake Morey in Fairlee on September 30 for a day of mingling, learning (5…
Environmental Division Bench/Bar on November 3rd
The Environmental Division will be holding an Environmental Division bench/bar via Webex on Thursday November 3rd at 12:00pm. The Court…
Vermont Legal Aid Closed For 10 Days Starting October 10
Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont are going to be switching to a new case management system, starting next week. …
Judiciary Adds Standing Orders to Website
The Vermont Judiciary website now includes a new “Standing Orders” page that will list any standing orders that judges issue…
Judicial Emergency Ends Sept. 30 (Friday)
After two and a half years of various pandemic restrictions, the Vermont court system will be resuming (almost) normal operations…
Second Circuit Seeks Comments on Reappointment of District of Vermont Public Defender Desautels
The current term of office for Federal Public Defender Michael L. Desautels, Federal Public Defender for the District of Vermont,…
ABA Seeks Input from Attorneys in Parenthood Survey
ABA Commission on Women in the Profession is conducting a survey on parenthood. This is the first-ever national survey for…
New Survey Seeks Input on Remote Hearings from All Court Users
The Vermont judiciary today posted a survey that seeks to capture information about the experience of remote hearings from…
This Year’s Judicial Rotation
Vermont’s judicial assignments are adjusted every September. This year’s rotation was effective on Sept, 6. You can see the assignments…
Mike Kennedy Wins 2022 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award From the Second Circuit.
Vermont’s longtime Bar Counsel, Mike Kennedy, has been chosen by the Second Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals…
Constitution Day Commemoration Set for Sept. 19 at Law School
On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time in Philadelphia to sign the…
Andrew Manitsky is New VBA President Starting Sept. 30
Andrew Manitsky of Burlington law firm Lynn, Lynn, Blackman & Manitsky, P.C. has been elected President of the Vermont Bar…
Sept. 6 Brings Changes to Rules on Email Filing, Email Service, and Appellate Filing Periods
As we reported here on August 17, changes to the pandemic rules put in place by AO 49 are coming…
Orleans Top Prosecutor Appointed to Superior Court Bench
Governor Phil Scott today issued a press release to announce his appointment of Jennifer Barrett, of Newport, to the Vermont…
YLD Hosts a Sunday Afternoon by the Lake
On a beautiful Burlington Sunday afternoon on August 28th, the VBA Young Lawyers Division hosted a barbecue picnic in Oakledge…
Want to Serve on the Judicial Nominating Board? Read On
Nominations for the three State Bar seats on the Judicial Nominating Board will take place on the floor at the…
Make Your Plans Now for the Annual Meeting at Lake Morey Sept. 30.
The VBA will be back at Lake Morey in Fairlee on Sept. 30 for a full day of CLEs, the…
Legal Community Food Drive Gets Underway
The sixth annual Legal Community Fighting Hunger Food Drive is beginning! If you or your firm or organization would like…
July YLD Brattleboro Mixer a Hit – YLD Barbecue Coming Aug. 28 to Burlington
The Young Lawyer’s Division hosted a mixer at the Saxton’s River Distillery in Brattleboro on July 27. Attendees were treated…
AO 49 – Changes Coming Sept. 6
This afternoon, August 17, the judiciary released information concerning changes coming to the pandemic rules instituted through Administrative Order…
The Future of Remote Hearings – Survey Says…
In June 2021, the Vermont Supreme Court established the Special Advisory Committee on Remote Hearings. The Committee was charged with…
Contacting Clients in Corrections – Change is Coming
The Department of Corrections is creating a new PIN access system for attorneys. For years, each correctional facility has used…
Trial Academy 2022 – Together Again
After two-years of virtual trial academies occurring in cyber space, some sixty participants were able to meet again in-person at…
YLD Mixer Set for July 27 in Brattleboro
The Young Lawyer’s Division is hosting a mixer next Wednesday (7/27) in Brattleboro at the Saxton’s River Distillery, 155 Chickering…
Trial Academy 2022 – A Place to Practice or, for the Court-Averse, a Safe Place to Get Experience
The Vermont Trial Academy is back live and in-person this year on July 29 at Vermont Law School. After two…
Bob Paolini Returns to VBA as Interim Executive Director
Bob Paolini, has “un-retired” and has returned as of July 1 to serve as interim executive director of the…
Beth Robinson Sworn In as Second Circuit Judge
The Hon. Beth Robinson was sworn in as a United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit Court of Appeals…
VBA Executive Director Position
The Vermont Bar Association is seeking candidates for the position of Executive Director. This is a policy leadership and administrative position…
Hon. Beth Robinson Induction Ceremony to be Livestreamed on Friday
Former Vermont Supreme Court Justice Beth Robinson will be sworn in as a United States Circuit Judge for the Second…
VBA Legislative Overview – 2022
The VBA followed a number of bills affecting the bar and the courts during this unusual “hybrid” legislative session.…
Remote Hearings Bar Survey – June 10 Deadline
The Special Advisory Committee on Remote Hearings is preparing a report for the Vermont Supreme Court regarding the future of…
Judge Dan Richardson’s Swearing In Ceremony
The Honorable Daniel P. Richardson was sworn in as a Superior Court Judge at the Vermont Supreme Court Building in…
Dooley Portrait Unveiling Set
The Chittenden County Bar Association and the Assistant Judges are hosting a gathering to unveil the portrait of the Hon.…
Chat, Drinks, Jokes – YLD Comedy Club Mixer a Hit
On May 17th the Young Lawyers Division and Chittenden County Bar Association co-hosted a mixer at the Vermont Comedy Club…
Vermont Calling – for Young Lawyers
The graying of the legal profession in Vermont has been a subject for discussion for some time now, a discussion…
A Message of Gratitude From Teri Corsones
You may have recently heard of my appointment as Vermont State Court Administrator. I wanted to take this opportunity…
Judicial Emergency Extended to 8-31-22
The Vermont Supreme Court issued the latest amendments to AO 49 on May 9, 2022, linked HERE. The state…
The 2022 “Mid-Winter” Thaw Was Fun in the April Sun
The Young Lawyer’s Division managed this weekend to bring back a beloved VBA tradition – the “Mid-Winter” Thaw in Montreal. …
Congratulations to MLK, Jr. Poster/Essay Contest Winners!
The Vermont Bar Association, in partnership with its Diversity Section and Young Lawyers Division, sponsored a Martin Luther King,…
Daniel Richardson, Past VBA President, Is Vermont’s Newest Superior Court Judge
Governor Scott has announced his appointment of Daniel Richardson to Vermont’s Superior Court Bench. Richardson most recently served as the…
Starting Your Own Law Practice? Apply to Join the VBA/VLS Solo Lawyer Incubator Project
The Vermont Bar Association and Vermont Law School are accepting applications from new and new-to-Vermont lawyers who want to…
Nancy Waples Sworn in as Associate Justice
The Honorable Nancy Jear Waples was sworn in as an Associate Justice for the Vermont Supreme Court on April 15…
Judge Waples’ Swearing-In to be Livestreamed
Superior Judge Nancy J. Waples will be sworn in as an Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court on Friday,…
Sixth Annual Statewide High School Mock Trial Program
The Vermont Bar Association was pleased to collaborate with the United States District Court for the District of Vermont, the…
Face to Face Again for VBA’s 65th Mid-Year Meeting
With the pandemic easing, the VBA was able to host the Mid-Year Meeting live and in-person on Friday, March 25. …
New Administrative Directive Regarding COVID Health Screening and Safety Protocols
Click HERE to view Directive
Order Revising Covid-19 Restrictions in Public Areas of Federal Buildings and Courthouses
GeneralOrder#107.RevisedMaskPolicy
Heather Cooper appointed U.S. Bankruptcy Judge
Heather Cooper appointed U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Congratulations to Heather Cooper, partner in the firm Facey Goss & McPhee in Rutland,…
Client Security Fund MYM Vote
A vote regarding the Client Security Fund has been noticed for the Mid-Year Meeting on Friday, March 25, 2022. Following…
2022 Pro Bono Service Award Winners
The Vermont Bar Association congratulates Attorneys Matthew Garcia, Joy Karnes Limoge, Sarah North and Laura Savall as the 2022 winners…
Congratulations to Judge Nancy Waples!
Governor Phil Scott has appointed Judge Nancy Waples to the Vermont Supreme Court. Judge Waples is a long-time VBA member,…
VT Mentor Advice Program for New Lawyers
The VBA is pleased to offer a “Vermont Mentor Advice Program”, pairing experienced Vermont lawyers with new lawyers practicing in…
VBA Nominating Committee Report Issued
The VBA Nominating Committee met on December 10 and recommended that Judith Dillon become President-Elect of the VBA Board of…
New Judicial Bureau Hearing Officer Sworn In!
New Judicial Bureau Hearing Officer Sworn In! Chief Justice Reiber administered the oath of office to Judge Charles Romeo, Vermont’s…
Judicial Nomination Process Proposals – S.179
Judicial Nomination Process Proposals – S.179 S.179 has been scheduled for testimony next Thursday, February 3 at 10:45 am in…
Bar News – Swearing-In Ceremony for New VT Lawyers
Welcome new admittees to the Vermont Bar! Although the annual swearing-in ceremony wasn’t able to be held in-person this year,…
Know a Pro Bono Attorney? Let Us Know!
Nominate a deserving and generous attorney for the VBA’s annual Pro Bono Service Award. The Award is given each year…
Message from COVID-19 Committee Co-Chairs
Even though the state of emergency in Vermont was officially lifted in June 2021, many pandemic concerns are still with…
Upcoming Events
Updates
Former Vermont Supreme Court Justice James L. Morse Passes Away at 82
Retired Vermont Supreme Court Justice James L. Morse passed away at his home in Charlotte on January 13. He served as a Vermont trial court…
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