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Business Meeting Agenda
September 25, 2026
Lake Morey Resort

MORNING SESSIONS

8:00am – 9:00am

A review and the legal considerations when Real Property is part of a bankruptcy estate; disposition whether by foreclosure (relief from stay) or 363 sale; the 363 sale process (drafting the PSA, Sale Motion, Order); Sale process with higher or better offers; and title insurance issues (Order free and clear).

Speakers: Elizabeth Glynn, Andre Bouffard, Steve Ducham/Liz Smith, and Ray Obuchowski

Likely at some point in their career, every attorney will experience a client fee dispute. Whether a client refuses to pay, or thinks they paid too much, these conflicts can result in bad reviews, seemingly unnecessary litigation, and/or complaints to the PRB.  Who wants any of that?

In an attempt to mitigate the above, the VBA Fee Dispute Committee (Committee) offers free fee dispute resolution to those who agree to participate.

This seminar provides information on (1) what the Committee is – and is not; (2) the Committee’s basic processes and procedures; and, (3) how to get involved as a member of the Committee. It will also be a reminder of the importance of written fee agreements.

Speaker: Jeffrey Messina

*Approved & certified to meet the requirements of Rules 12(a)(1) and 15(c) of the Vermont Rules of Admission

9:30am – 11:00am

Description coming soon.
Speakers: Samara Anderson, Walter Judge, and Mike Kennedy

Attendees are encouraged to submit questions in advance to [email protected] and [email protected].

Speakers: Hon. Ben Battles, Hon. Nancy Waples, Bridget Asay and Al Dean

*Approved & certified to meet the requirements of Rules 12(a)(1) and 15(c) of the Vermont Rules of Admission

Description coming soon.
Speakers: Kate Lamson, David Silver, and others TBD

*Approved & certified to meet the requirements of Rules (12(a)(1) and 15(c) of the Vermont Rules of Admission

11:15am – 12:15am

Over the course of the last decade, the United States Supreme Court has launched on a number of new doctrinal trends that are dramatically changing the face of American Constitutional Law.  This presentation will identify and examine those major trends across a spectrum of areas, including civil rights and civil liberties, federalism, and separation of powers issues.  It will then offer projections on what to expect as constitutional law continues to evolve in coming years.

Speaker: Rodney Smolla, Professor of Law, Vermont Law & Graduate School; Senior Counsel, Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch, Washington, DC

Disability Rights in Practice: Legal Tools, Services, & Support for Vermonters*

11:15am – 12:15pm — 1.0 DEI MCLE

In this one hour overview we hope to explore how disability intersects with numerous legal matters and bring awareness to the wide range of services that DRVT can offer; tools that DRVT has available to assist individuals, lawyers and service providers in doing their work (like the various laws that inform our requests for reasonable accommodations and rights enforcement), and effective ways in utilizing our services and our resources to help meet the needs of Vermonters with disabilities.

Please send any questions or concerns in advance of the presentation!

Speakers: Lindsey Owen St. Amour

*Approved & certified to meet the requirements of Rules 12(a)(1) and 15(c) of the Vermont Rules of Admission

The Law Office Study Program is a longstanding feature of legal education in Vermont and a key component in legal workforce development and access to justice. The program provides an alternative path to becoming an attorney without law school as set out in Rule 7 of the Rules of Admission. There are currently over 100 Vermont-licensed attorneys who completed the Program and around 50 participants. Join this diverse panel hosted by the VBA’s new Law Office Study Section for an open, audience-driven conversation about how the program works, who it may be right for, mentoring, preparing for the bar exam, and what participants and mentors can expect along the way. Whether you are considering participating in the program, interested in serving as an attorney supervisor, or simply curious about this unique path to the profession, this session welcomes your questions.

Speakers: Sam Abel-Palmer, Kira Botting, Laura Gorsky, Victoria Richardson, and Andy Strauss

*Approved & certified to meet the requirements of Rules 12(a)(1) and 15(c) of the Vermont Rules of Admission

1:45pm – 2:45pm

Vermont Election Law: How Elections Work, and the Role of Attorneys*

1:45pm – 2:45pm — 1.0 MCLE

This CLE will focus on the overarching and intermingled legal apparatus hat comprise Vermont’s Election System. This includes the actual administration of elections, the campaign finance system regulating and monitoring spending during election cycles, and the enforcement apparatus that exist to ensure compliance. At the end of this CLE, attendees will have a high-level understanding of how our elections operate, who operates them, and the role of attorneys in representing clients in these systems.

Speakers: Gordon Merrick, Leslie Welts, and Tracy Borst – Thetford Town Clerk

*Approved & certified to meet the requirements for Rules 12(a)(1) and 15(c) of the Vermont Rules of Admission

Three Cool AI Uses (And Two Terrible Ones)

1:45pm – 2:45pm — 1.0 MCLE

After four years and billions of dollars spent on data centers and model improvements, generative AI is finally at the point where it is legitimately useful for legal work…provided you use it the right way. This seminar provides practical, concrete use cases and how-tos for incorporating AI into your legal practice, as well as a discussion of tasks which remain decidedly not appropriate for AI. Come for the simulated judges, stay for the humiliating hallucination horror stories!

Speaker: Ott Lindstrom

3:00pm – 4:30pm

Description coming soon.
Speakers: Mike Kennedy and Andrew Manitsky

Technology Consultants, Inc. – Trusted IT & Cybersecurity for Vermont Law Firms

For nearly 40 years, Technology Consultants, Inc. (TCi) has been helping Vermont law firms protect their data, improve productivity, and eliminate technology headaches. Locally owned and headquartered in Vermont, TCi understands the unique needs of legal practices throughout the state and is committed to providing responsive, personalized service from a team that lives and works in the communities it serves.

Today’s legal professionals depend on secure, reliable technology to serve clients, meet court deadlines, and maintain strict confidentiality. Unlike general IT providers, TCi has extensive experience supporting law firms throughout Vermont. We understand the unique technology, security, and compliance requirements of legal practices, including document management systems, secure remote access, email security, ransomware protection, cloud solutions, and business continuity planning.

Our proactive Managed IT Services are designed to prevent problems before they disrupt your practice. With 24/7 monitoring, rapid response, data backup and disaster recovery, network security, Microsoft 365 management, and strategic IT consulting, we help attorneys stay focused on practicing law—not managing technology.

What sets TCi apart is our commitment to being consultants first. We work closely with each firm to align technology with business goals, communicate in plain English (our famous “No Geek Speak” approach), and provide responsive support from experienced professionals who understand your environment. Founded in 1986, TCi has built long-term relationships with Vermont businesses by delivering dependable service, fast response times, and practical technology solutions that work.

We’re proud to serve many respected law firms across Vermont, as well as the Vermont Bar Association, whose team notes that “TCi is steps ahead of any other IT company we have worked with.” Legal professionals throughout the state rely on TCi because they know their technology is in capable hands.

Whether your firm is looking to strengthen cybersecurity, improve compliance, modernize its technology infrastructure, or simply receive better IT support, Technology Consultants is ready to help.

Technology Consultants, Inc.
Locally Owned. Vermont Based. Trusted Since 1986.
Real People. Great IT.
Learn more at www.TCiVT.net/LawFirms or call (802) 865-4409.

The ABA Retirement Funds Program (“the Program”) offers an employer-sponsored retirement plan; built by lawyers, powered by pros. For over 55 years, the Program has been committed to providing the tools necessary to help all legal professionals achieve retirement security. Our structure allows your firm to focus on the success of the practice while we provide the highest level of fiduciary oversight allowable through ERISA, reducing your fiduciary risk. Through our purposeful innovation we provide an investment platform with options to allow for optimal choice and flexibility for your participants and a fully bundled service model, custom designed to meet the unique needs of your firm, so you and your plan participants can learn more, save more and worry less. And we offer all of this at a competitive price whether you are a Solo Practitioner or a large corporation. Through the unique culture created between the ABA Retirement Funds and our Program partners, we aspire to help every law firm, lawyer and legal professional secure financial futures. Call us at 800-826-8901 for a free consultation or visit www.abaretirement.com for more information.

The American Arbitration Association is the world’s leading provider of dispute solutions.  The not-for-profit has been resolving millions of cases efficiently, equitably, and accessibly for over 100 years.

All-Access Infotech is a veteran-owned Managed IT and Cybersecurity Services Provider serving law firms and businesses throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. We
understand the unique technology, security, and compliance challenges legal professionals face; from protecting confidential client data and maintaining business continuity to supporting the applications attorneys rely on every day.
Our team delivers proactive IT management, cybersecurity, Microsoft 365 management, cloud solutions, backup and disaster recovery, strategic IT planning, and responsive help-desk support. We work as an extension of your firm, helping you reduce downtime, strengthen security, and leverage technology so your attorneys and staff can stay focused on serving their clients.
When technology matters, experience matters. Our mission is to provide trusted IT guidance and responsive support that gives law firms confidence that their technology is secure, reliable, and works for them, not against them.

ALPS is legal insurance made easy! Founded by lawyers for lawyers in 1988, ALPS offers comprehensive malpractice and business insurance solutions making it easy for you to protect your entire firm. As the Vermont Bar Association’s endorsed carrier, they understand how valuable your time is. That’s why the ALPS insurance application is flexible, easy, and 100% online. Apply, review your quote, accept and pay in as little as 10 minutes. Apply Now.

Visit alpsinsurance.com/vermont to discover how ALPS can support your Vermont law firm.

At the heart of our mission is the belief that people, regardless of challenges, benefit from the opportunity to thrive.

Through strategic partnerships and strong relationships, we create pathways to sustainable and meaningful employment and recovery, bridging the gap between ability, health, and opportunity.

Our vocational and medical case management services work together to support the whole person – whether that means returning to work, regaining independence, or rebuilding quality of life.

CONTACT US

Have questions or suggestions?

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 802-223-2020