What Does an Equitable Legal System Look Like in Vermont?

Please join us in celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 from 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m. This year’s event will be held in person in the Chase Community Center on Vermont Law and Graduate School campus.

We are excited to welcome panelists Chief Justice Paul Reiber, Vermont Supreme Court, Associate Justice Bill Cohen, Vermont Supreme Court, Associate Justice Nancy Waples, Vermont Supreme Court, Chief Superior Judge Thomas Zonay, Vermont Superior Court, and Xusana Davis, Vermont Executive Director of Racial Equity, who will be moderating the panel.

Our panelists will speak on “What Does an Equitable Legal System Look Like in Vermont?” In particular, the panelists will reflect on the recent statistical findings that stated in 2019, “black people were over three times more likely to be defendants in a misdemeanor case and almost six times more likely to be defendants in a felony case compared to white people.” To help address and respond to these disparities, the Vermont Judiciary established a Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) aimed at understanding the causes, assessing solutions, and implementing changes. We will hear from our panelists, who are members of the Commission, what they have been working on and what they see as next steps for Vermont.

Download the Celebration Day program in pdf format here!

Moderator:
Xusana Davis, Executive Director of Racial Equity for the state of Vermont

Panelists:
William D. Cohen JD'84, Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court
Paul L. Reiber, Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court
Nancy J. Waples, Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court
Thomas A. Zonay JD'88, Chief Superior Judge of the Vermont Supreme Court

This celebration is open and the public is invited to attend.
Don't hesitate to contact Lisa Ryan for any accessibility needs.