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Experience VLS

Vermont Law School is distinguished by the character of the students and faculty who have chosen to learn and teach here. From its founding, VLS has consistently drawn individuals from across the country and world with a passion for public service, a concern for justice, and an interest in pursuing legal education as a means to make a difference in the world. It is not surprising that with its emphasis on advocacy, Vermont Law School has risen to the top as a place to study environmental law, offering more courses in the field than any other law school in the country. The International and Comparative Law programs have been developed over the years in anticipation of the growing need for experienced legal advocates around the globe who are prepared to address some of the most pressing issues of our time.

Vermont Law School is also recognized as an entrepreneurial community of energetic students and accomplished legal scholars and practitioners who regularly collaborate on advocacy work that reaches far beyond Vermont. The school's emphasis on practical, experiential learning across government, the nonprofit sector, and in private commerce provides VLS students, while they are students, with a realistic assessment of the challenges and rewards of varied career options in the legal profession.

Photo of David Mears talking to students.

Facts About VLS

  • We offer the largest number of environmental law courses in the country
  • More than half of our JD students enroll in experiential programs
  • Our faculty are regularly consulted as legal experts and commentators in the media, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Sports Illustrated's SI.com, The Washington Post, NPR, Fox News, Bloomberg News, MSNBC, Huffington Post, and other national and local media outlets
  • Recent classes have included students from every U.S. state
  • VLS's global network includes alumni living and working in over 20 countries
  • The National Jurist named VLS one of the best law schools for women
  • Between a quarter and a third of VLS graduates pursue law careers in public service or in the government

Student Highlights

The latest in Vermont Law School student news, achievements and scholarship

The VLS rugby team.

Student Life

Life at VLS is a balanced blend of work, social and cultural activities, and public service. More than 35 student organizations have been established, and many of our conferences and key events are student-run.

The Debevoise Hall bell tower.

The Campus

Within our beautiful rural campus setting, we are both grounded and wireless—mindful of tradition and the history of our buildings, yet technologically advanced and environmentally conscious.

The Vermont State House.

The Region

This is classic New England at its best, with stellar outdoor recreation opportunities—hiking to Kent's Ledge, kayaking in the White River, skiing and snowshoeing out your back door—as well as easy access to Boston, Montreal, Burlington, Woodstock, and Hanover, N.H.

The Community and the World

VLS students, faculty, and alumni seek and create opportunities to work on the issues that concern all of us—such as land use, energy, and smart growth—through clinics, public service, jobs at nonprofits, international partnerships, conferences, and advocacy.