The updated VBA Volunteer Lawyer Disaster Legal Assistance Services Manual has been completed and is available now on the VBA website. The Manual provides guidance to Vermont attorneys who are assisting others in the wake of the July 2023 flooding disaster.
It includes 20 sections covering the most frequent issues that effect individuals and businesses struck by natural disaster, such as Insurance, Public Benefits, Employment, Landlord/Tenant, and working with FEMA and the SBA. The Sections were contributed by Vermont Attorneys with expertise in these subject areas. (See list of contributors below). The new Manual is an update of one developed in the wake of Hurricane Irene in 2011.
The VBA has set up a Flood Victim Legal Assistance Project which will match attorneys with disaster victims to assist with identified legal needs. With a grant from the Vermont Bar Foundation, we offer attorneys a stipend of $75 per hour for up to 5 hours of legal work. Lawyers can volunteer at here.
Flood victims can sign up on the VBA’s website at www.vtbar.org.
The VBA extends its thanks to the following people for their help and contributions to the new Manual:
Mary Ashcroft, Esq., Sidney Collier, Esq., Doreen Connor, Esq., Robert Depper, Esq., Alexandra Edelman, Esq. Adam Fane, Vermont Law and Graduate Student, Greg Fox, Esq., Maggie Fry, Esq., Laura Gans, Esq., Olivia Graffeo-Cohen, Esq., Nicole Killoran, Esq. Vermont Law and Graduate School Professor, Jim Knapp, Esq., Jean Murray, Esq., R Grace Pazdan, Esq., Roger Prescott, Esq., Renee Staudinger, Esq., Marjorie Stinchcombe, Esq., Gerry Tarrant, Esq., Benjamin Varadi, Esq., Vermont Law and Graduate School Professor, Erica Back, VBA Administrative Assistant