On Oct. 2nd, 2026, the VBA and the Chittenden County Bar Association organized a Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Members of the bench, bar, and court staff braved a rainy afternoon to meet at the Chittenden County Civil Courthouse, located at the bottom of Church Street. Unfortunately, the scheduled Burlington History Tour by Gary De Carolis was postponed due to the rain.
The Hon. Robert Katims warmly welcomed everyone. Judge Katims read from a speech about the significance of the Declaration that was written and first delivered to W 
oodstock High School students this spring by the late Judge Dickson Corbett. Judge Katims then re-administered the oath of office for the attorneys who had gathered, followed by a group picture of the Chittenden County bench, bar, and legal professionals. The photo will be hung in the Civil Courthouse. Afterward, folks enjoyed a delicious 250th chocolate cake made by State Court Administrator Teri Corsones (festooned with her scales of justice).
The bar associations are grateful that the Judiciary welcomed folks to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration, and for the special appearance of judges Navah Spero and Megan Shafritz. In gathering, we are reminded that this noble experiment in democracy and self-government is on-going and only made possible by the collective will of the community gathered in single purpose. It is as true now as it was in 1776.
Special thanks to Chief Operations Manager Naomi Henderson for letting folks use the courthouse and to Alfonso Villegas for logistics, this report, and the photos.
