Vermont Law and Graduate School

Vermont Businesses & Educational Institutions Collaborating for Community
2025-10-16 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Vermont Law and Graduate School, 164 Chelsea St., South Royalton, VT, 05068
Join Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility and Vermont Law and Graduate School for an evening of connection and learning, as we explore the important role Vermont’s higher education institutions are playing—and their untapped potential—as conveners and changemakers, especially when working alongside businesses to improve local communities.

This discussion will examine how socially responsible businesses and educational institutions are driving transformative local change through public-private partnerships, community governance, and climate resilience.

Panelists include:

Dan Bromberg, Graduate School Dean, Vermont Law and Graduate School (Moderator)

Patricia Coates, Director, Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships and Office of Engagement, University of Vermont

Christophe Courchesne, Associate Dean, Environmental and Experiential Programs; Director, Environmental Law Center; Director, Environmental Advocacy Clinic, Vermont Law and Graduate School

Phillip Foy, General Counsel, Encore Renewable Energy

Emiliano Void, Founder and CEO, nuwave Equity Corporation

We’ll dive into the power of local collective action*—led by businesses and educational institutions—to fill critical gaps in government support. Come for the insights—stay for the delicious drinks, networking, and shared learning!

This event is a great opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, build new relationships, gain fresh inspiration, and have some fun. Open to all who are interested in building a just, thriving, and transformative economy that works for both people and the planet. Please register in advance. If you have questions, contact Leah Romano at lromano@vermontlaw.edu.

*Collective action refers to collaborative efforts where groups share knowledge, resources, and efforts to achieve a common goal.

Compassionate, Community-Centered Responses to the Drug Crisis
2025-10-29 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual
Individuals, families, and entire communities across the country have experienced the effects of the substance use and a drug crisis in recent years. We often think about drug policy or addiction recovery as an issue affecting “individuals.” In this session, we want to think about substance use and recovery in a broader sense, exploring what happens when communities come together to address substance use in their local communities in positive ways that help individuals and the community to heal.

Substance use affects many people within communities, including the impacted individuals, family and friends, librarians, first responders, and business owners. Frequent occurrences of substance use in a community can affect the community’s identity, local economy, and sense of safety. How do communities who have faced challenges or human loss due to substance use heal afterwards? How have restorative practices been helpful to communities struggling with these questions? Our speakers can share both practice and policy that build stronger, healthier communities for everyone.

Hosted by the Center for Justice Reform at Vermont Law and Graduate School, this event is part of an ongoing online series, “Healing Communities to Heal the World.”

Esteemed guest speakers include:

Ricardo Bowden, Executive Director of Peer360Kateri Coyhis, Executive Director of White BisonHon. Eric Mehnert, Chief Judge of Penobscot Nation

Please register in advance by clicking here.

Lunch & Learn with JD Admissions Counselors
2025-11-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
The Office of Admissions invites you to join an informal session covering an overview of JD programs, application strategies, timelines, and scholarship opportunities.

Please register in advance by clicking the button below.

*This event is geared toward prospective JD students.

"What We Can Do: A Climate Optimist’s Guide to Sustainable Living" Book Talk
2025-11-06 12:45 - 14:00 | Vermont Law and Graduate School, 164 Chelsea St., South Royalton, VT, 05068
Join us for an engaging book talk with Charlie Sellars, director of sustainability at Microsoft and author of the #1 best-selling climate book, “What We Can Do: A Climate Optimist’s Guide to Sustainable Living.”

In this empowering and practical guide, Sellars offers a data-driven framework to help readers embrace sustainability in their personal, professional, and political lives. With an optimistic perspective, “What We Can Do” reminds us that each of us has more power than we realize to create a meaningful difference in the fight against climate change.

This event is hosted by the Business Law Society, the Environmental Law Society, the Energy Law Society, the Environmental Law Center, and Offices for Alumni Relations and Development.

Planning to attend in person? Please register via the button below. Joining virtually? Access the presentation on the day of the event via this link.

Veterans Day Program: Honoring the Brave
2025-11-11 09:00 - 15:30 | Chase Community Center, 164 Chelsea St., South Royalton, VT, 05068
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

*The livestream will begin at 9:55 a.m. ET.

9 a.m. | Breakfast

9:55 to 10 a.m. | The Star-Spangled Banner Performed by Elizabeth Schmitt JD’27

10 to 10:45 a.m. | Remarks and Readings

Welcome: Don Hayes JD’10, Director of VLGS’s Veterans Legal Assistance Project

Opening Remarks: Law School Dean Beth McCormack and Graduate School Dean Daniel Bromberg

The Pledge of Allegiance: Michael A. Harden JD’26

Readings:

The Unbroken Chain of Service: Tara Lynn Angulo JD’26

“In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae: Katie Merrill, VLGS Dean of Admissions

The Table of the Fallen Soldier: Brittany Lamb JD’27

10:45 to 11 a.m. | Veterans Resources

Donald Hayes JD’10, Director of VLGS’s Veterans Legal Assistance Project

22 Veterans a Day

Awareness and Outreach Resources

11:05 to 11:45 a.m. | Retiring of the Flag Ceremony (In Person Only)Presentation and Bugler: Norwich University Color Guard

11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Remarks and Networking/Lunch Break

12:30 to 1:30 p.m. | Lunch and Learn – Veterans Treatment Courts(qualifies for 1 Continuing Legal Education credit)

Matt Miller, LDM Lawyers

Veterans and Alternative Courts

Veterans in the Criminal Law Practice

1:30 to 2:15 p.m. | Presentation of Flags and Cases Presented by Veterans Law Student Association Members Kristina Smith JD’26 and Michael A. Harden JD’26

Professors Donald Hayes JD’10, Richard Sala JD/MELP’13, and Joe Griffo JD’07

Certificates of Appreciation

2:15 to 3:30 p.m. | VLSA Resources Panel and Fellowship

Mental Health Resources: Sally Rumsey, VLGS Mental Health Clinician

Fellowship: Join veterans, family, and friends as we gather to remember the fallen

How to Apply: A Session for Master's, LLM, and Certificate Applicants
2025-11-12 17:30 - 18:30 | Virtual
Join the Graduate Admissions Team for an info session focused on the application process. We’ll cover all the elements of an application, including transcripts, professional resume, essay(s), character and fitness, and letters of recommendation. This session will get you acquainted with the application process and provide insight on how to put together a strong application as you prepare for the next step in pursuing an advanced degree at Vermont Law and Graduate School.

Please register in advance by clicking the button below.

"Presidential Power": A Lecture by Professor Rodney A. Smolla
2025-11-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
The Office of Admissions invites you to a lecture on presidential power with Rodney A. Smolla, professor and former VLGS president. Professor Smolla is a renowned scholar on matters relating to constitutional law, civil rights, freedom of speech, and mass media.

Please register in advance by clicking here.

*This event is geared toward prospective JD and master’s students.

2025 Community Thanksgiving Dinner
2025-11-27 11:30 - 13:30 | Chase Community Center, 164 Chelsea St., South Royalton, VT, 05068
Join us to celebrate Thanksgiving with our community! This free dinner is sponsored by the South Royalton/Royalton community, businesses, churches, Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS), the Royalton and Area Lions Club, and residents of surrounding towns.

If you would like to attend or have a meal delivered, please contact:

Courtney Potter (VLGS) at communitythanksgiving@vermontlaw.edu or 802-831-1238; or Carol Greene (Royalton and Area Lions Club) at 802-291-3750

Food donations (chocolate, apple, and pumpkin pies; other desserts) will be accepted from November 24-26 in Chase Community Center on the VLGS campus. Monetary donations are gratefully accepted and can be dropped off at VLGS with Courtney Potter (Debevoise Hall, 3rd Floor). Please make checks payable to Vermont Law and Graduate School.

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Healing After an Economic Downturn
2025-12-04 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual
Communities can hit hard times economically due to various factors, including losing industry and employers. When communities lose industry, they can also lose their identity, and as a consequence, the story of “who we were” can linger without a clear sense of “who we are today.” How have communities that have experienced economic downturns recovered and successfully gained their footing to create a brighter future? How can we help communities process economic trauma, create collaborative atmospheres, and identify action steps to move forward? What role do restorative practices play in assisting communities to heal and grow together?

Hosted by the Center for Justice Reform at Vermont Law and Graduate School, this is event is part of an ongoing online series, “Healing Communities to Heal the World.”

Esteemed guest speakers include:

Kennedy Smith, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Self-RelianceSteve Sanders, Director of Mill Site Redevelopment at One NorthMike Smith, Executive Director of the Outdoor Sport Institute

Please register in advance by clicking here.

Founding Day Celebrations
2025-12-05 00:00 - 23:59
December 5 marks the day Vermont Law School was officially chartered, and Founding Day was created as both our annual giving day and a time to honor the legacy of all who have shaped VLGS.

Celebrations—including a virtual panel on “The Founding of Vermont Law School” and regional gatherings for alumni and students around the country—will take place throughout the day.

Paying for Law School
2026-01-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Join us for an evening webinar to learn how to navigate financing your law school investment. We will be joined by Katie Merrill, Dean of Admissions, and Melissa Erickson, director of Financial Aid, as well as Jennifer M. Schott, Vice President of the AccessLex Center for Education and Financial Capability.

Please register in advance by clicking here.

*This event is geared toward prospective JD students.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
2026-01-20 12:45 - 14:00 | Chase Community Center, 164 Chelsea St., South Royalton, VT, 05068
Vermont Law and Graduate School presents a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration: “Unarmed Truth, Audacious Faith and the Presence of Justice.”

Carolyn Finney, PhD—scholar and artist-in-residence at Middlebury College—will be this year’s guest speaker.

The event will be held both in person and livestreamed virtually.

Restorative Justice: Graduate Programs Edition
2026-01-21 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
The Office of Admissions invites you to a restorative justice focused session with Quixada Moore-Vissing, interim director of the Center for Justice Reform and visiting assistant professor.

We’ll explore the work of the Center for Justice Reform, the Master of Arts in Restorative Justice (MARJ) and Graduate Certificate in Restorative Justice (GCRJ) curriculum, opportunities to gain experience, and careers.

Please register in advance by clicking here.

VITA Program: Free Tax Preparation
2026-02-03 16:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-05 16:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-07 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-10 16:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-12 16:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-14 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-17 16:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-19 16:00 - 20:00 and 5 more dates | By Appointment Only
Vermont Law and Graduate School is once again hosting a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site.

Volunteers will prepare and electronically file federal and state tax returns, free of charge, for qualifying low-to-moderate income and elderly taxpayers whose family income in 2025 was $69,000 or less.

Filings will be done by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling 802-831-1363. Participants will be asked to show proof of identity per IRS regulations. A self-service filing station—complete with a laptop and necessary software—will also be available by appointment.

Note: IRS regulations require verification of all taxpayers’ identities. Those participating in these tax preparation services (and their spouse, if filing a joint return) will be asked to show proof of identity (e.g., driver’s license, employer ID, school ID, birth certificate, military ID, or passport). It is also necessary to show a social security card, an ITIN card or letter, or an SSA letter for each individual who will be listed on the return. Taxpayers who cannot substantiate their identity will be asked to seek professional tax assistance elsewhere.

Cracking the Code: Understanding SSI and SSDI Processes
2026-02-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Join us for a clear, practical, and accessible one‑hour educational webinar designed specifically for non‑attorneys who want to better understand the SSI and SSDI systems. Hosted by VLGS’s Veterans Legal Assistance Project, this session will break down the application and appeals process step‑by‑step, demystifying eligibility rules, required documentation, common pitfalls, and what to expect at each stage.

Whether you’re a service provider, advocate, or simply looking to support someone navigating disability benefits, you’ll leave with a stronger grasp of how these systems work. This is a straightforward, jargon‑free introduction that turns complex processes into something manageable and actionable.

Food & Agriculture and Animal Law JD Overview
2026-02-11 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Join Laurie Beyranevand JD’03, director of the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems, and Delcianna Winders, director of the Animal Law and Policy Institute, to learn more about these specializations and the exciting opportunities available at VLGS.

Please register in advance by clicking here.

*Geared toward prospective JD students.

February Admissions Open House
2026-02-16 09:30 - 14:00 | Yates Common Room at Vermont Law and Graduate School, 164 Chelsea Street, South Royalton, Vermont, 05068, United States
Attending this dynamic event is the perfect way to envision life as a Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS) student. Throughout the day, you will get an in-depth look at the many opportunities available and discover how VLGS can help you reach your goals.

In addition to connecting with our amazing faculty, staff, and students, you’ll be guided through a tour of campus, experience a class lecture, and enjoy a delicious lunch.

Please register by clicking the button below.

If you have any questions, please contact Ellen Dube at 802-831-1624 or edube@vermontlaw.edu.

JD Programs and Scholarship Overview
2026-02-18 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Join members of the admissions team for an overview of the JD programs available at VLGS, along with information on the current admissions cycle, application strategies, and timelines.

We will also be discussing scholarship opportunities, including our new Swan Scholar Awards for students pursuing animal law and policy, and food and agricultural law and policy.

Please register in advance by clicking here.
