When the Hon. Helen M. Toor announced earlier this year that she would be retiring it was clear that a celebration was in order. With 25 years on the bench, Judge Toor was the longest-serving Vermont Superior Court judge. Her colleagues and admirers, led by the Hon. Sam Hoar, asked the VBA to help arrange a retirement party to mark the occasion.
Judge Toor retired on July 31. On Aug. 1, close to 200 friends, colleagues, and well-wishers gathered at HULA on Lake Street in Burlington to celebrate Judge Toor’s career and contributions to our state. Judge Hoar served as Master of Ceremonies, introducing a series of speakers who shared stories of their experiences with and best wishes for Judge Toor. Highlights included letters from the Governor and Chief Justice, the presentations of a Simon Pearce platter by Judge Beth Novotny on behalf of Judge Toor’s colleagues on the trial bench and a mantle clock by Justices Nancy Waples and William Cohen on behalf of the Supreme Court. The presentations concluded with the unveiling of a Gillian Randall portrait commissioned by the Chittenden County Bar Association; the portrait will soon hang, along with others, in the Matthew I. Katz Courtroom in the Chittenden Civil Division courthouse.
At the end of the ceremonies, Judge Toor took to the podium to share her thoughts and thank the crowd. Not surprisingly, she received a long and enthusiastic standing ovation from the audience. All in all, the evening was a fitting celebration of a remarkable career.
Photos courtesy of State Court Administrator Teri Corsones. Judge Hoar contributed to this article.
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