Rep. Lalonde rising in support of the resolution
Richard T. “Rich” Cassidy, president elect of the Vermont Bar Association and storied Vermont attorney, died late on Monday, April 21, 2025, after a long illness. The celebration of his life was held, to a capacity crowd, at Burlington’s landmark First Unitarian Church on May 2.
Rich’s long and wide-ranging service to Vermont, his clients, his community, and the legal profession, was further recognized on May 20, 2025, when the Vermont Legislature adopted a resolution in Rich’s Honor.
The Resolution was read on the House floor by the assistant clerk. Co-sponsor of the resolution, Rep. Martin Lalonde, Esq. of South Burlington and Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, then spoke in support of the resolution. Lalonde, who had a long personal and professional relationship with Rich, noted that he wouldn’t be a representative now but for his relationship with Rich. Rich’s wife of 50 years, Becky Cassidy, was on hand to hear the Resolution and to receive a round of applause from the lawmakers. A copy of the Resolution will be provided to Rich’s family, to the VBA, the Vermont Bar Foundation, and the Uniform Law Commission.
Becky Cassidy
The full text of the Resolution is below along with a link to the video of the event. To hear Rep. Lalonde’s remarks, see between about 11 and 17 minutes into the session.
H.C.R. 148
Offered by Representatives LaLonde of South Burlington, Arsenault of
Williston, Burditt of West Rutland, Christie of Hartford, Dolan of Essex
Junction, Goodnow of Brattleboro, Goslant of Northfield, Oliver of Sheldon,
and Rachelson of Burlington
House concurrent resolution in memory of distinguished Vermont attorney
Richard T. Cassidy of Burlington
Whereas, for 47 years (1978–2025), Richard Cassidy was a distinguished
member of the Vermont Bar, and he epitomized the best attributes of an
attorney, and his legacy is exemplified through a record of superb leadership at
respected State and national professional legal organizations, and
Whereas, a native of Rutland, he graduated from Mount St. Joseph
Academy, the University of Vermont, and Albany Law School before
completing two successive Vermont Supreme Court clerkships, and he
subsequently enjoyed a successful career as a private practitioner, and
Whereas, the Vermont Bar Association (VBA) and its justice access partner,
the Vermont Bar Foundation (VBF), were each a beneficiary of his wise
counsel, and
Whereas, as a VBA appointee to the VBF Board, Richard Cassidy was an
ardent advocate for VBF’s mission, and at VBA, he was serving as the
outstanding president-elect, and
Whereas, at the American Bar Association (ABA), Richard Cassidy served
on the Board of Governors, chaired its Standing Committee on the Delivery of
Legal Services, and represented Vermont in the ABA House of Delegates, and
Whereas, in 1994, Governor Dean appointed Richard Cassidy to the
Uniform Law Commission (ULC), a pivotal advisor to legislatures and state
bar associations on a wide range of statutory topics, and he frequently testified
before General Assembly committees on ULC-related legal matters and was
honored to serve a term as ULC President, and
Whereas, Richard Cassidy, whose broad array of activities included acting
as a special legislative advisor on an impeachment investigation, serving as
counsel to the Burlington Police Officers’ Association, working as a legal
analyst for Channel 5 television news, and chairing the South Burlington
School Board, died on April 21, 2025 at 71 years of age, and he is survived by
Becky, his wife of 50 years, now therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
That the General Assembly extends its condolences to the family and
colleagues of Richard T. Cassidy, and be it further
Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this
resolution to the family of Richard Cassidy, the Vermont Bar Association, the
Vermont Bar Foundation, and the Uniform Law Commission
Youtube link:
House Session: 2025-05-20-10:00 a.m.
