The VBA’s Executive Director, Bob Paolini, was recognized with an award at the First Annual Justice Gala on Nov. 6 at the Echo Center in Burlington. The Gala was sponsored by the Vermont Bar Foundation, Vermont Legal Aid, and Legal Services Vermont. Proceeds from the event, which drew some 300 attendees, were to benefit Legal Services and Legal Aid.
The evening’s program highlighted the work and history of the two organizations. Speakers, including the Hon. Helen Toor (ret.), Kevin Lumpkin, Esq., of Sheehy Furlong & Behm, and a recorded message from Sen. Peter Welch, emphasized the pressing need for support for both organizations at this time. After their remarks, the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Sam Abel Palmer, Executive Director Legal Services Vermont, presented awards to Vermont attorneys who had made remarkable contributions to access to justice during their careers – including Bob. He was the recipient of the first annual “Rich Cassidy Award,” recognizing Leadership in Access to Justice for Vermonters.
“The Justice Gala Awards Committee was thrilled to recognize the career of Bob Paolini with the inaugural Richard Cassidy Award,” Sam said. “The award honors the legacy of Rich Cassidy, who devoted his legal career to expanding access to justice in Vermont. Since Rich channeled so much of his effort through the work of the Vermont Bar Association, it was especially fitting for Bob to receive this award. Through the many years of his leadership of the VBA, Bob has worked tirelessly to improve and expand access to legal services for disadvantaged Vermonters.”
Rich was the president elect of the VBA at the time of his passing in April of this year.
Bob was on hand at the Echo Center to receive his award. He noted how meaningful it was for him to have an award with Rich’s name on it, and to get it with Becky Cassidy, Rich’s wife, in the audience that night.
Sam then presented two more awards. The “Guen Gifford Award,” recognizing Career Achievement in Legal Services for Vermonters went, posthumously, to David Santos, who worked for Legal Services Vermont for nearly 22 years. Sam also awarded the first “Sandra Baird Award,” recognizing excellence in pro bono service to Vermonters, to Nancy Geise of Kolvoord, Overton & Wilson.
