Celebrations of the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence Incoming! On July 1, all three branches of Vermont government, led by our Judiciary, will be celebrating together around the Capitol in Montpelier. Click here to learn about it all. There will be kids’ activities (potato sack races etc.) and inspiring events (a naturalization ceremony)…
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…
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…
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 Vermont Bar Association held its 2025 Annual Meeting at the Hotel Champlain in Burlington on Sept. 26, 2025. A crowd of more than 200 Vermont attorneys, judges, special guest speakers, and 15 meeting sponsors were on hand. The hotel’s lobby had been renovated since our last meeting there and it looked elegant. The…
This just in (Sept. 5, 2025) from the Governor’s office: Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of Claire Burns as Caledonia County State’s Attorney. She has served as interim state’s attorney since August 1, following former State’s Attorney Jessica Zaleski’s departure. Vermont Governors appoint state’s attorney vacancies based on the recommendations of county political…
The ninth annual Legal Community Fighting Hunger Food Drive is beginning! If you or your firm or organization would like to participate, see the announcement letter from Attorney General Charity Clark, here. You can find the 2025 sign-up form here. NOTE: the participation form is due back to the AG’s office by Wednesday, Sept. 3. …
Robert “Bob” Paolini, Esq., executive director of the Vermont Bar Association, has announced his intention to retire later this year. This will actually be Bob’s second retirement from the post. After practicing law in the Montpelier-Barre area and serving two terms in the Vermont House of Representatives. Bob first became Executive Director of the VBA…
Members of the Vermont bar should have received a memo today (dated June 2, 2025) from State Court Administrator Teri Corsones. (Link below). The memo is “Re: Promulgated and Proposed Rules, Vermont Judiciary Migrating Virtual Hearing Capabilities, Attorney License Renewal Period, Supreme Court Administrative Directives, eFile and Serve and Public Portal Information, Filing of Exhibits…