Earthjustice President Abigail Dillen to Deliver Commencement Address
SOUTH ROYALTON, Vt. (May 11, 2026) — Honoring a golden milestone, Vermont Law and Graduate School will close out the academic year on Saturday, May 16, with its 50th commencement ceremony in celebration of the Class of 2026.
The commencement address will be delivered by Abigail Dillen, president of Earthjustice, the world’s largest nonprofit public interest environmental law organization, and Earthjustice Action, which focuses on securing fair courts and strong environmental laws.
Dillen joined Earthjustice in 2000 and has served as president since 2018. She currently leads over 650 staff in harnessing the power of law to protect the environment and public health around the globe. Throughout her career, Dillen has emphasized the essential role lawyers and policymakers play in creating a safer, more just world.
“It is an honor to welcome Abigail as this year’s commencement speaker,” said Dean Beth McCormack. “Her unwavering commitment as a leader, practitioner and advocate embodies the VLGS motto, Law for the Community and the World. We look forward to the meaningful message she will share.”
Other distinguished guests will include alumnus Jay Blumenkopf, a member of the school’s charter class that graduated in 1976, and VLGS Professor David Firestone — both of whom were present for the beginning days of the institution.
Blumenkopf will offer welcoming remarks, and Firestone will receive an honorary degree along with Dillen.
“As we celebrate this year’s graduates — our 50th class of changemakers — we are inspired by their passion, intellect and dedication to making a positive impact on the world,” said Dean Dan Bromberg.
The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on the South Royalton Town Green. Learn more about this year’s honorees and all the festivities at vermontlaw.edu/commencement.
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Vermont Law and Graduate School, a private, independent institution, is home to a law school that offers ABA-accredited residential and online hybrid JD programs and a graduate school that offers master’s degrees and certificates in multiple disciplines, including programs offered by the Maverick Lloyd School for the Environment, the Center for Justice Reform and other graduate-level programs emphasizing the intersection of environmental justice, social justice and public policy. Both the law and graduate schools strongly feature experiential clinical and field work learning. For more information, visit vermontlaw.edu, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.