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 were more than 200 registrants – an impressive showing, especially given the cold and snow that came along for the weekend. A total of 9.25 CLE credits was available over the two days of the meeting. In addition to learning, attendees and their guests had lots of opportunities to socialize. Vermont Law and Graduate School hosted a cocktail reception on Friday night, offering cocktails, great views over the city at night and even a poutine bar.
The popular brunch on Saturday morning included an excellent program. The keynote address was given by the Adjutant General pf the Vermont National Guard, Gregory Knight. He gave an interesting talk about the history and work of the Guard and took questions from the audience. His appearance was arranged by immediate past president of the YLD and guard member, Justin Brown.
Another highlight of the brunch program was the presentation of the Peter W. Hall award This award is presented annually by the YLD to a Vermont attorney or judge who exhibits the exceptional characteristics for which the late Judge Hall was best known: integrity, humility, empathy, good humor, love of Vermont, and a steadfast commitment to public service and the rule of law. Legal professionals from around the state are invited to submit nominations for the award.
This year, the award was to Associate Vermont Supreme Court Justice William Cohen (Ret.) by YLD Treasurer, Zach Dayno. (Dayno’s remarks from the presentation are below). Justice Cohen, who knew and worked with Judge Hall, spoke movingly about receiving the award.
After brunch the crowd moved on to a full day of CLE programming. The entire event was a great success thanks to the hard work of the YLD organizers, notably current Chair Ryan Long of Primmer Piper, all the CLE presenters, the staff at Le Westin, and the attendees.
2026 Judge Hall Award: Justice William Cohen
Remarks by Zach Dayno Jan. 17, 2026
Good morning, my name is Zach Dayno. As a former law clerk of Judge Hall and member of the YLD Board, it is my honor to present this year’s Judge Peter W. Hall Integrity Award.
We lost Judge Hall far too soon in 2021. Since then, the YLD has honored Judge Hall by presenting an annual award in his name to an individual of our bar who exhibits the exceptional characteristics for which Judge Hall was known:
- integrity, humility, empathy, good humor, mentorship, love of Vermont, and a steadfast commitment to public service and the rule of law.
The YLD’s goal in presenting this award is to reinforce the paramount role of integrity and professionalism, so that practicing law in Vermont continues to be a special and unique experience.
This year, we received many nominations of highly qualified and deserving individuals for the Judge Hall Award. However, one person stood out: Vermont Supreme Court Justice William Cohen.
Justice Cohen retired last month after 26 years dedicated to serving Vermont, first as a trial judge, and then as a Supreme Court Justice. He daily demonstrated his integrity, compassion, and concern for the litigants, counsel, jurors, and staff who came before him.
Justice Cohen grew up in Rutland – which, I will add, Judge Hall fondly referred to as the Center of the Universe. Justice Cohen was educated through the Rutland Public School System and he graduated from Rutland High School in 1975. He went on to obtain an undergraduate degree from The George Washington University and a JD from Vermont Law School. Justice Cohen started his legal career as Deputy State’s Attorney, followed by working in private practice. Judge Hall and Justice Cohen actually worked at the same firm in Rutland for a time –
In 1999, Justice Cohen was appointed as a State Superior Court Judge. And in 2019, Governor Phil Scott appointed him to the Vermont Supreme Court as an associate justice. In speaking to Justice Cohen’s former colleagues and those that practiced before him, several themes emerged: his decency, empathy, humility, and commitment to public service. Qualities we remember Judge Hall for, and qualities that Justice Cohen embodies.
For instance, Chief Justice Reiber stated the following about his friend and colleague receiving this year’s award:
“Justice Cohen and Judge Hall practiced together and are alike. Both easy to connect with on a very human level. Bill was a protege of Pete, possessing a bit of old fashioned decency, each of them, in everything they did. Empathetic with expertise, that’s how I might define it. It’s a trait that served Bill well as a trial judge and later as a justice and member of the Vermont Supreme Court.
Justice Cohen, perhaps more than anyone I know, loves the courtroom, the give and take. Not for some unfound opportunity to witness combat, rather born of a love for the process, the dignity of the process, the people who gather there, the lawyers, parties, staff all working to do right. Like Pete, Bill brings to all who appear a kind of gentle, polite and dignifying encouragement that so many yearn for in our democratic institutions today. A human dynamo generating good will.”
Again, that was Chief Justice Reiber. And Chief Superior Court Judge Thomas Zonay had this to say:
“Justice Cohen will be remembered for many things—above all, for the compassion, thoughtfulness, empathy, and respect he showed to everyone who appeared before him. He was approachable, generous with his time, and always willing to sit down with colleagues and attorneys who sought his guidance or support. Deeply committed to public service, he dedicated 26 years of his life to serving his home state of Vermont.”
But it was not just Justices and Judges that sang Justice Cohen’s praise. Litigants that appeared before him also held him in the highest regard. One lawyer who frequently argued before Justice Cohen said:
“Justice Cohen is always well prepared and always understands the key issues to the appeal. Because of his lengthy tenure on the Superior Court, Justice Cohen applies real world experience and common sense to appellate issues. What is most refreshing is that he enjoys good lawyering and the give-and-take of oral argument.”
When folks think about a Judge’s or Justice’s legacy, they often think about the written opinions that they leave behind. But, at least to me, I think their greatest legacy is the indelible mark they leave on their law clerks – their mentorship of the next generation of lawyers, their human impact. In that spirit, the last quote I want to share is from a recent law clerk of Justice Cohen:
“He embodies all of the characteristics of this award. We had many conversations about our cases in which he would always stop to think about the human aspect—the actual people at the center of each case. His humility showed from the beginning when I was offered the position as his law clerk: he told me that as his clerk, I do not work “for” him, I work “with” him. Justice Cohen is always quick to laugh, he is a considerate jurist, and he is a Vermonter through and through – from the ski slopes to the courtroom.”
From the letters of nomination we received, and those I spoke to about Justice Cohen, it is clear that he is a perfect fit for this award.
Both Judge Hall and Justice Cohen reached what many would consider the pinnacle of our profession, yet they remained unchanged by the trappings of power and prestige, remaining humble and grounded. Maybe it’s something in the water over there in Rutland.
Whatever it may be, Vermont and our Bar have benefitted greatly from Justice Cohen’s service.
Please join me in congratulating Justice Cohen as this year’s recipient of the Judge Hall Integrity Award.
Here’s some of what the Thaw looked like this year. Thanks to Alfonso Villegas for his photos.
