Vermont Law and Graduate School

"What We Can Do: A Climate Optimist’s Guide to Sustainable Living" Book Talk
2025-11-06 12:45 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Learn More

Application Tips and Tricks
2025-12-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Join Katie Merrill, dean of admissions, and Dan Budak, director of admissions, for helpful tips and tricks on the application process.

Please register in advance by clicking here.

*This event is geared toward prospective JD students.

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.

Lunch & Learn with Graduate Admissions Counselors
2025-12-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
The Office of Admissions invites you to join graduate admissions counselors for an overview of our master’s, LLM, and certificate programs. You’ll also learn about application strategies, timelines, and scholarship opportunities.

Please register in advance by clicking here.

*This event is geared toward prospective master’s, LLM, and certificate students.

The Current Landscape of Environmental Justice with Professor Lindi von Mutius JD'08
2025-12-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Experience a class at Vermont Law and Graduate School by attending a lecture on the current landscape of environmental justice with Professor Lindi von Mutius JD’08.

Lindi von Mutius is a visiting professor of law at Vermont Law and Graduate School, working with the Environmental Justice Clinic, coaching student clinicians, and handling cases related to waste, biofuels, and toxics. She served as the chief of staff of the Sierra Club from 2017–2020, and has held executive management roles at the Trust for Public Land and the Environmental Defense Fund. Professor von Mutius earned her ALM in Environmental Management from Harvard University in 2005, magna cum laude, and graduated from Vermont Law and Graduate School in 2008, earning the Excellence in Appellate Advocacy Award and the Black Law Students Distinguished Service Award.

Please register in advance by clicking here.

*This event is geared toward prospective JD students.

Flexible JD Programs at VLGS
2025-12-30 17:00 - 18:00 | Virtual
Join us to learn more about the flexible JD options at Vermont Law and Graduate School and hear firsthand from students currently enrolled in these programs.

Please register in advance by clicking here.

*This event is geared toward prospective JD students.

Animal Protection Policy: Graduate Programs Edition
2026-01-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
The Office of Admissions invites you to join us for a session devoted to animal protection policy with Laura Ireland, associate director of our Animal Law and Policy Institute. We’ll explore careers in animal advocacy and the programs we offer to get you there.

The session will also feature a mini-lecture and Q&A session with Laura Ireland.

Please register in advance by clicking here.

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

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.

Get to Know Our Master of Public Policy Program
2026-01-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
The Office of Admissions invites you to join us for a session focused on public policy with Professor Stephen Pimpare, Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program Director.

We’ll explore the MPP core curriculum, opportunities for experiential learning, specialization areas, and careers.

Please register in advance by clicking here.

*This event is geared toward prospective master’s 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.

How to Apply: A Session for International Applicants
2026-01-23 08:00 - 10:00 | Virtual
Join Aude-Mathilde Gallaud LLM’24, our international admissions counselor, for an info session focused on the application process for international applicants. We’ll cover all the elements of an application, including evaluated transcripts, English Language Proficiency requirements, 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 here.

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

Meet VLGS Online Hybrid JD Students
2026-01-28 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Are you interested in pursuing your law degree, but not sure a full-time, residential program is right for you? Our Online Hybrid JD (OHJD) program offers the same rigorous legal education with added flexibility that allows students to manage their professional, family, and life obligations.

Tune in to meet some of our current OHJD students and learn how this degree fits into their busy schedules.

Please register in advance by clicking here.

*This event is geared toward prospective JD students.

Get to Know Our Center for Agriculture and Food Systems
2026-02-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
The Office of Admissions invites you to join us, along with members of the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems (CAFS) team, for a session focused on food and agriculture policy. The CAFS team will provide an overview of their current projects and initiatives related to Farm to School, Local and Healthy Food Access, Urban Agriculture, and Farmland Access. This session will offer insight into how CAFS advances community-centered, justice-focused food system reform and how students contribute to this work.

Please register in advance by clicking here.

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

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 | 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.

Postponed: Get to Know Our Master of Legal Studies Program
2026-02-04 17:30 - 18:30
Thank you for your interest in the Feb. 4 Master of Legal Studies webinar. Please note that this event is being postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date. Stay tuned for more information!

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.

Energy Policy: Graduate Programs Edition
2026-02-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
The Office of Admissions invites you to join us for a session devoted to energy policy with Mark James LLM’16, interim director of the Institute for Energy and the Environment and associate professor of law. We’ll explore careers in energy and the programs we offer to get you there. The session will also feature a mini-lecture and Q&A session with Professor James.

Please register in advance by clicking here.

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