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Board of Directors
The VLSAA is led by a board of directors that meets three times a year in person and occasionally via conference call. Currently, there are 23 members of this board.
The Board has five active committees: Career Services, Communications, Nominating, Regional Groups, and Development. Alumni who are not on the board are invited to join a VLSAA committee and get involved through this channel.
The board of directors is selected through an election process, with an additional two appointments made by the VLSAA president. Recognized regional alumni groups are also granted a representative. Board member terms are for three years, with the possibility of being re-elected for a second term. Each election cycle, typically two to five spots on the board will be vacant. The nomination process concludes in July, and elections are held in August.
Contact Kim Evans, Alumni Relations Manager, if you would like to participate.
Current Board
Christopher J. Adamo '04
At-large Member, term expires 9/13
chris_adamo@stabenow.senate.gov
As a graduate of the Vermont Law School class of 2004, the past 6 years have been an adventure that would not have been possible without VLS, and therefore I would like to be a part of the Alumni Association. As a legislative counsel for a United States Senator in Washington, D.C., I am reminded everyday how significant my 3 years in Vermont were. That time allowed me to grow into this unique, somewhat odd, and always fascinating career. I know how fortunate I am to have the job that I have, and I want stay in touch with the school that helped me get here. VLS is something I am proud of. I am proud of the years I spent there, the commitment I gave it, and what I received in return. Simply, I would like to give something back and stay a part of the community I miss.
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Samara D. Anderson JD/MSEL '03
Albany/Saratoga Regional Representative, term expires 9/12
anderson_samara@yahoo.com
Vermont Law School was an amazing place for the seed of environmental law to be planted in my life as I immersed myself in obtaining a joint JD/MSEL in 2003. After such an amazing three years, complete with its challenges and successes, I wanted to retain my connection to VLS by being a member of the alumni board as well as a representative to my local regional alumni group in the Albany, New York region. For the past seven years I have practiced complex commercial litigation at Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP and have gained tremendous exposure to high profile securities and antitrust fraud cases, but always felt a pull to return to working on environmental issues. So, I jumped out of the commercial litigation nest and dove into reconnecting with my true legal passions in the environment. I currently serve as a pro bono attorney at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in the environmental enforcement area, cleaning up Superfund and Brownfield sites and ensuring that New York's land can be sustainably utilized. My current environmental legal research and writing focus is on the intersection of commercial litigation and environmental law, specifically, where antitrust laws hinder the ability of manufacturers to engage in Product and Packaging Stewardship and Extended Producer Responsibility.
TopJanet E. Arnold JD/MSEL ’91
Vice President, term expires 9/12
Chair, Nominating Committee
jearnold15@comcast.net
Ms. Arnold presently heads the Strategic Practice Area for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's (NRECA), with over 15 years of professional experience as an attorney, project manager, team contributor and trusted advisor to the energy industry. Prior to joining the NRECA team, Ms. Arnold served as counsel and business consultant in the electric and water industries in such challenging areas as rates, customer service, corporate governance, business process reengineering, strategic planning, strategic initiative development and restructuring.
She has helped lead electric distribution companies through the challenges associated with organizational strategic planning in an era of rapid and significant change with functional, dynamic and effective planning, taking an active leadership role in developing new regulations and assisting companies with process reengineering and other challenges of implementation.
Her technical expertise includes governance, customer service, rates and tariffs, metering and meter reading, billing and collections, call center and communications. She is adept at identifying the key dynamics and implications of complex client matters, developing sound business strategy and effectively communicating these to a variety of audiences in straightforward terms. Janet earned her J.D. and M.S.E.L. from Vermont Law School in 1991, and her A.B. from Vassar College. She also holds a Certificate in Corporate Governance from Tulane University Law School, and is an instrument-rated private pilot.
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Marilyn J. Bartlett ’91
Secretary, term expires 9/12
kumjb000@tamuk.edu
Marilyn Bartlett began her career in education. She was a kindergarten teacher in a Montessori preschool in Munich, Germany, in 1970. She received her first academic appointment in 1980 as an assistant professor in Educational Leadership at Long Island University. Dr. Bartlett later became a school assistant superintendent in Vermont before attending Vermont Law School. She then practiced law in Manhattan as a law clerk before returning to academia in 1994, when she became an associate professor at Dowling College. She co- authored Dowling's inaugural doctoral program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies approved by New York State in 1997. In 1999, she joined New York Institute of Technology as the director of graduate studies, where she was a tenured associate professor. She wrote NYIT's post-master's program in Educational Leadership and Technology that received New York State approval in 2000.
In 2004, Dr. Bartlett joined the University of South Florida as an associate professor. She was recently appointed Dean of the College of Education at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. She is a member of the Consortium of State Organizations for Teacher Education, Texas Education Association, Educational Administration Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association, and is an active member of the Educational Law Association. Dr. Bartlett is well published and presents locally, nationally, and internationally on topics of educational law. She recently published several entries in the Sage Encyclopedia of Educational Law; her new book, Florida Administrative Desk Reference, on Florida educational laws, will be published in fall 2008.
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David G. Carpenter, JD/MSEL '97
At-large Member, term expires 9/13
dgcpllc@gmail.com
At VLS I participated in many activities including Law Review, the Dean's Fellow program, the national VLS Moot Court Team (after winning Debevoise), SBA Vice President, and the Environmental Law Society.
Professionally, I have a diverse background - a small firm in Syracuse, NY; a large international firm in Boston, MA; a 3-person partnership in the Albany, NY area; my own sole practice; and in-house counsel to my current employer.
As Associate General Counsel of Casella Waste Systems, Inc. since 2007 and our senior environmental attorney, I am responsible for a wide variety of compliance and regulatory matters throughout the northeast. I have implemented an independent internship position for VLS students and recent graduates. I can appreciate and assess a range of positions on any given topic, I maintain a broad network of professional contacts, and, if elected, will bring my experience and enthusiasm to this position.
Carolina Curbelo ’05
New Jersey Regional Representative, term expires 9/11
Chair, Development Committee
curbeloc@sullcrom.com
Carolina Curbelo is a litigation analyst for the international law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in New York City. At S&C, she manages high-profile, complex antitrust and securities litigation and investigatory matters. From 2005–2006, Carolina clerked for the Hon. Joseph S. Conte, J.S.C. of the Superior Court of New Jersey (Bergen County). In 2004, she interned for the Hon. José L. Linares of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. During law school, Carolina represented VLS in the Jessup International Moot Court Competition (regionals), participated in the Latin American Law Students Association, and was the co- president of the Hispanic National Bar Association – Law Student Division for the New England region. Carolina and her husband, José E. Díaz, are also human rights activists seeking the release of Cuban political dissident Antonio Díaz Sanchez from the Castro regime. Carolina is fluent in Spanish.
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Douglas W. Ebeling ’97
Presidential Appointee, term expires 9/11
Chair, Career Services Committee
debeling@gmail.com
Doug Ebeling is currently the Manager for Professional Development for the Litigation Department at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP in New York City. Doug's responsibilities include work assignments and staffing, orientation and integration, education and training, alumni initiatives, and associate support including internal career guidance, navigating firm resources, performance evaluations, and troubleshooting. In recent years he has also held professional development positions at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, and at Dechert LLP.
Doug began his career in education, as Dean of the Sophomore Class at Bowdoin College in Maine. He received his J.D. from Vermont Law School in 1997, and then served as Chief Law Clerk for the Vermont Trial Courts. Doug moved to New York City in 2000 and was an associate for seven years at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in the Complex Mass Torts and Insurance Litigation Group.
He currently resides in Jersey City, New Jersey and is involved in various community efforts. Doug teaches a citizenship preparation course for immigrants as a volunteer at the Jersey City Free Public Library Literacy Program. He was recently recognized as Jersey City Literacy Volunteer of the Year. He also serves on the legal affairs subcommittee of the Powerhouse Arts District Neighborhood Association in support of their efforts to protect local zoning plans.
While at Vermont Law School Doug was Senior Managing Editor of the Vermont Law Review, was Student Bar Association Representative to the faculty committee, was on the International Moot Court Board, and taught Legal Writing as a Dean's Fellow. In recent years Doug has been involved in setting up regional alumni events, and his goal is to continue to work on strengthening and energizing active alumni events and participation in the New York area.
TopCaroline A. Fisher '04
Boston Regional Representative, term expires 9/12
Chair, Communications Committee
caroline.fisher@state.ma.us
Caroline graduated from Vermont Law in 2004 and has since been utilizing her degree in the political and policy arena in Boston. She began her post-law school career as the general counsel of the election laws committee in the Massachusetts state legislature, and the following year she accepted a position as the general counsel and health care policy advisor for the senate chair of the health care financing committee. After spending three years involved in major health reform legislation she was offered a position on the House Speaker's policy team as his chief health policy counsel. Caroline has been active with the Boston alumni board for the past three years serving as the Vice President of the Board and is very excited about her recent appointment to the national alumni board.
TopMichael C. Formica ’98
At-large Member, term expires 9/13
mformica@gmail.com
Michael Formica is chief environmental counsel for the National Pork Producers Council, an association of 43 state pork producer organizations and the voice in Washington, D.C., of America's 67,000 pork producers. In this capacity, Mr. Formica works with federal agencies, the White House, and congressional lawmakers on legislative and regulatory aspects of environmental policy concerning air quality, water quality and manure management, coordinates the industry's legal activities, and provides legal and strategic advice to livestock producers nationwide.
Before joining NPPC, Mr. Formica was in private practice in Washington, D.C. representing agricultural and industrial clients on air, waste and water issues as well as on eminent domain and 5th Amendment takings proceedings. Michael was a founding member of Vermont Law School's environmental law journal.
A frequent media commentator and national speaker on the environmental impacts of agriculture, he is a member of EPA's Clean Air Act Advisory Committee and the Agricultural Air Research Committee in addition to serving as Vice Chair of the American Bar Association's Section on Environment's Agricultural Program's Committee and Vice Chair of the ABA's Section on Litigation's Environment Committee's Agricultural subcommittee. He has been recognized by National Journal magazine as one of the nation's leading expert on federal environmental and energy policy.
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Maria E. Gomez JD/MSEL '05
Washington D.C. Regional Representative, term expires 9/13
m.gomez522@gmail.com
Maria Gomez is an environmental attorney based in Washington, D.C. After working as a prosecutor for the State Attorney's Office of Miami-Dade County, she relocated to the DC area in fall 2007. Ms. Gomez now works with CACI, Inc. as a litigation support specialist on various matters for the U.S. DOJ. She also teaches Environmental Law at George Mason University in the PhD program under the Department of Environmental Science and Policy. Ms. Gomez joined the board in 2010 and is looking forward to a busy and productive tenure.
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Alumni Trustee, term expires 9/12
jason.hutt@bgllp.comJason Hutt is a partner in the Environmental and Natural Resources section at Bracewell & Guiliani in Washington, D.C. His practice is devoted primarily to regulatory advice under federal and state environmental statutes and assisting in the environmental aspects of corporate and financial transactions.
Jason's work includes environmental risk evaluation, permitting and contract negotiation in relation to energy project development and existing power assets. His most recent work has involved petroleum refineries, LNG terminals and cogeneration facilities in California, Texas, Virginia, Massachusetts and Maine.
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Heather L. Spurlock Kennealy ’02
At-large Member, term expires 9/11
Chair, Regional Groups Committee
hskennealy@yahoo.com
Heather Spurlock Kennealy joined the law firm of McRoberts & Roberts, LLP in Boston, Mass., as an environmental law associate in 2007. Between 2002–2006, Heather practiced in Raleigh, N.C., for the Law Office of F. Bryan Brice. During law school, she completed her Master’s in Environmental Law and was honored with an Albert Schweitzer Fellowship due to her commitment to establishing an environmental law clinic at Vermont Law School. Heather is a member of the North Carolina State Bar and the Massachusetts State Bar, as well as an active member in the Boston Bar Association. Heather and her husband, Brian Kennealy, currently reside in Arlington, Mass.
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Stephanie Kiefer, MSEL '95
At-large Member, term expires 9/11
stephkiefer@comcast.net
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Delaware Valley Regional Representative, term expires 9/11
glinkmeyer@jacobslawpc.comGene Linkmeyer is the Chair of the Litigation Department at Jacobs Law Group, PC in Philadelphia, PA. Since graduating from VLS in 1995, Gene has focused his practice on commercial, labor and employment matters in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
Gene is a cum laude graduate of both Vermont Law School, and Villanova University (1987). He taught legal writing while at VLS and has been instrumental in organizing the Delaware Valley VLSAA. He is the Chapter’s representative to the VLSAA.
Mr. Linkmeyer currently serves as an arbitrator for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, hearing tort and contract claims. He presents a quarterly Webinar for HR Professionals through the local chapter of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Managers). He also currently teaches legal writing and research, and employment law at Widener University's Legal Education Institute.
Gene has co-authored and contributed his editing skills to several important law volumes that assist both attorneys and front-line supervisors, including: "How Arbitration Works," (6th Ed. 2004), ABA Section on Labor and Employment Law; "The Employment Law Manual for Wisconsin Employers," Krukowski & Costello, S.C., and; "Advanced Collective Bargaining for Employers," Krukowski & Costello, S.C. Gene is currently writing "The Employment Law Manual for Pennsylvania Employers."
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Deanna Mello ’99
At-large Member, term expires 9/12
deannamello@yahoo.com
Deanna Mello comes from Minneapolis, Minnesota. A non-traditional student she returned to school after twelve years working in banking and finance, and graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Natural Resources with a degree in Environmental Policy at the age of 34. A recipient of the Dayton-Kirkham High Achievement Scholarship, her three internships in the Minnesota Legislature drew her to the VLS Joint Degree program. Her plans for work on Environmental Legislation changed when, during a break in her legal education, she married Vermont Law Professor Michael Mello, a nationally recognized scholar in capital punishment and fourth amendment law. She eventually returned to law school and graduated from VLS in 1999.
Deanna spent numerous hours discussing with Professor Mello the many challenges facing VLS, including diversification of the faculty and student body, balancing the environmental and core curricula, rising tuition rates, and more. Following the sudden death of Professor Mello in November 2008, Deanna chose to commit herself to serving the VLS community as a member of the VLSAA Board of Directors.
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Karis North ’95
President, term expires 9/12
knorth@mhtl.com
Karis North has been actively involved in the VLS community since her days as a student, when she was involved in campus activities ranging from the Women’s Law Group to the Vermont Law Review. She was named Outstanding Female Graduate in 1995, and also received a Switzer Foundation Environmental Fellowship. Currently, she is a litigator in Quincy and Boston, Mass., with Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane where she practices in state and federal court. She is a founding member of the Boston VLS Alumni Association and previously, she was a member of the DC-VLSAA. In addition to her VLS-related activities, Karis is a member of the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network, is actively involved in local and national political campaigns, and volunteers as a pro-bono attorney for the Family Law Project for Battered Women and the Norfolk County Bar Association. She was elected to the VLSAA in 2006, and has chaired the Development Committee since that date.
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Rebecca Purdom '96
Presidential Appointee, term expires 9/13
rpurdom@vermontlaw.edu
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Fidel R. Rul III JD/MSEL’06
At-large Member, term expires 9/11
fidelrul3@gmail.com
Fidel is currently working with AARC Environmental, Inc. in Houston, TX as the Manager of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Group. While at AARC he has created two internship opportunities for JD and MELP students. Prior to joining AARC Environmental he worked for Stateside Associates as an Environmental Regulatory Counsel in the regulatory services division. He also worked as an environmental law intern with the Boston Harbor Association, where he gained experience in water resources protection, brownfields redevelopment, and waterfront development. As a 3L Fidel worked at the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic at Vermont Law School, where he gained experience with Clean Water Act and NPDES permits."
TopS. Mark Sciarrotta ’96
Alumni Trustee, term expires 9/13
msciarrotta@velco.com
Mark is the president of the Vermont Law School Alumni Association, and has been a member of this board since 2006. In his time at VLS, Mark was involved in numerous clubs and activities and was the president of the Fighting Swans rugby football club. Until recently, Mark sat on the Vermont Bar Association Board of Directors and chaired the Young Lawyers Division, where he helped raise thousands of dollars for a VLS scholarship fund and also facilitated a yearly “Bridge the Gap” program, helping new lawyers transition into the workforce. Mark also mentors MELP internship and SiP students, and helps many of these students find rewarding employment after graduating. He regularly serves as a VLS moot court judge.
Mark served the State of Vermont as Assistant Attorney General specializing in environmental enforcement. In 2008, Mark took on the responsibility of Senior Counsel for the Vermont Electric Power Company, Inc.
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Allison W. Smith, MSEL ’07
MSL/MSEL/MELP Representative, term expires 9/11
asmith@synapse-energy.com
Allison Smith came to VLS for the MSEL program in 2006 after graduating from Dartmouth College with BA in environmental studies. She took managerial finance at Harvard summer school while also interning with Natioinal Public Radio’s “Living on Earth” environmental radio program in the summer of 2006. At VLS, Allison focused her studies toward energy and environmental policy courses. She graduated in 2007 and now works for Synapse Energy Economics in Cambridge, Mass., where she represents consumer interests and alternative resources in the New England electricity power pool. She also analyzes state and regional energy policy, including energy efficiency plans, transmission expansion, and climate action plans.
Allison was co-chair of Women in Leadership through the Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth, a guide for the Dartmouth Outing Club, a mentor for Outdoor Leadership Experience, and a member of the varsity track and cross country teams.
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Robert F. Weisberg, JD/MSEL '01,
At-large Member,term expires 9/13
I am currently the Director of HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control Lead Programs Enforcement Division. I came to HUD as a Presidential Management Fellow after graduating from VLS. I was a DCVLSAA Board member in 2004. I served as a volunteer Presidential Classroom instructor in 2006 and 2007. My activities while at VLS included parliamentarian for the SBA; charter student ambassador and academic mentor; client counseling moot court advisory board and charter negotiation moot court advisory board; and environmental law society member.
Before coming to VLS I worked as a field epidemiologist and also a scientist in the RI Health Department occupational and cancer control program. I then owned and operated Environmental Monitoring and Training for 20 years, providing environmental testing, consulting and training services in Rhode Island and New England. I recognize that VLS is growing in many ways, and the alumni association can provide input on direction and steps to take. We can also help the alumni network to better support students and graduates, whether by mentoring or just being available to answer questions.
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Chase H. Van Gorder '84
At-large Member, term expires 9/13
chase@vglaw.com
Since graduating from VLS I worked in the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest making meaningful involvement with VLS and its alumni association somewhat impractical. Having recently relocated to New York, I now have the opportunity to give back to the VLS community that meant so much to me and launched me into my legal career. My twenty-five years as a practicing attorney, much of which was spent as a litigator and a sole practitioner, can help give VLS practical advice as it prepares its students for practice in the real world. I would like to see VLS strengthen its role in VLS alumni job placement and facilitate alumni in maintaining the partnerships we all formed while in South Royalton. It is also important that the VLSAA have a balanced representation including alumni from the earlier classes and alumni who can bring the perspective of work in private practice.
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