Vermont Legal Aid (VLA) has announced today (May 1, 2026) that Alistair Deakin, Esq. will serve as its new Executive Director. Deakin brings more than 25 years of experience in civil legal services, nonprofit leadership, and public policy. He began his legal career with Atlanta Legal Aid Society, representing clients in housing, public benefits,…
VERMONT BAR ASSOCIATION’S STATEMENT ON SUPPORT FOR THE RULE OF LAW At its monthly meeting on Feb. 20, 2026, the Board of Managers of the Vermont Bar Association adopted the following statement: The Vermont Bar Association is deeply concerned by the loss of life arising from recent federal immigration enforcement activity. The Vermont Bar Association…
The Young Lawyer’s Division again hosted the beloved VBA tradition – the “Mid-Winter” Thaw in Montreal –over the MLK Holiday weekend. Vermont legal professionals turned up in droves for a weekend of camaraderie and learning at a new location for the event, Le Westin Hotel at the edge of Montreal’s Chinatown and Old City. There…
Each year, a committee comprised of representatives from the VBA staff, the VBA Diversity Section, and the VBA Young Lawyers Division, chooses a quotation by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to inspire Vermont’s middle school students to participate in a Poster-Essay Contest. This year’s quotation was, “Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite…
Nominations are now open for candidates for VBA’s Annual Pro Bono Service Award. The Award is given each year to one or more attorneys who have devoted themselves in a noteworthy way to provide pro bono legal services. Standards for the award reflect Rule 6.1 of the Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct which exhorts lawyers…
This press release just in from the Governor’s office (1/5/26): Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today has named Christina Nolan of Burlington and Michael Drescher of Hinesburg to the Vermont Supreme Court. “Naming justices to the Vermont Supreme Court is one of the greatest responsibilities for any governor,” said Governor Phil Scott. “These…
The Vermont Bar Association, continuing its efforts to address attorney shortages in underserved areas throughout Vermont, is again accepting applications for its Loan Repayment Assistance Program. Now in its third year, the VBA Loan Repayment Assistance Program (“LRAP”) is designed to assist attorneys burdened by debt so that they can work in underserved geographic…
The VBA’s Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Poster/Essay Contest is now underway. Middle Schoolers statewide are invited to write a short essay (up to 250 words) and illustrate a quotation from Dr. King. This year the quotation is: “Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles.” The quotation appears in Dr. King’s…
This just in from the Governor’s office (10/16/25). Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of Zach Weight as a Special Prosecutor assigned to work with the Chittenden County State’s Attorney to assist in relieving the backlog of service-resistant repeat offender criminal cases, with an initial focus on individuals who have five or more…