On May 30, “Law Day” celebrations continued in Vermont with a lively gathering at the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington. Attorneys Steve Ellis of Paul Frank + Collins and Liz Miller worked with the staff at the Club to organize the event. The topic was “law and democracy” with a focus on the issue of non-citizen voting. Miller and Ellis, are both members of the Club’s Board. Ellis also chairs the VBA Labor and Employment Law Section. They were joined by Vermont Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Reiber and Associate Justice Nancy Waples. State court administrator Teri Corsones assisted with organizing and though she wasn’t able to attend, Teri did send her famous cookies to share.
After some introduction and pizza, the kids (grades 8-12) were divided into two groups who were assigned the pro and con positions on non-citizen voting based on a coin toss. The groups worked with Steve and Liz to outline their arguments. Each group then elected two advocates who argued their respective positions to the Justices, who proved to be a very hot panel. After the “court” took the matter under advisement, the legal professionals discussed the issues with the kids, took questions, and shared information about the law as a career. The Justices invited the group to come and hear an oral argument at the Vermont Supreme Court soon. Chief Justice Reiber gave one student his personal copy of the Vermont constitution as an impromptu prize. “It was a great experience that the kids will remember for the rest of their lives,” Ellis said. “The kids understand that they are future lawyers, judges, and law enforcement officers. They are really engaged.”