Lawyers in Vermont

Finding a lawyer in Vermont

Vermont is a small state with a close-knit legal community. Burlington and the surrounding Chittenden County have the largest number of firms, Montpelier, the state capital, is home to state agencies and the Vermont Supreme Court, and the rest of the state is served by small practices in county seats such as Rutland, Brattleboro, St. Johnsbury and Bennington. Many Vermont lawyers are generalists who handle several practice areas, and it is common for the same attorney to close your house purchase and later draft your will.

This directory groups Vermont law firms by practice area and town. Cases are heard in the Superior Court unit for your county, so once you know your type of problem, look for firms that appear regularly in that courthouse.

When you need a lawyer (and when you may not)

Contact a Vermont attorney early if you are charged with a crime, seriously injured, served with a complaint, or facing a divorce with children or property, or an immigration matter. Vermont sets deadlines for filing claims by statute, and a lawyer can tell you which apply to your situation.

The Vermont Superior Court's small claims process is designed for people without lawyers, and the Vermont Judiciary publishes forms and self-help guidance for many routine matters. If you are unsure whether you need counsel, a short first consultation, which many firms offer free or at a reduced fee, is the quickest way to find out.

Common practice areas in Vermont

• Family & Divorce — divorce, parental rights and responsibilities, parent-child contact, child support and relief from abuse orders in the Family Division.
• Real Estate — home and land purchases, title work, boundary and access disputes, subdivision and land use permits, and landlord-tenant matters, a large field in a rural state.
• Personal Injury and Car Accident — claims after crashes on rural roads, winter driving and ski-area injuries, and other negligence, with negotiation against insurers.
• Criminal Defense and DUI & DWI — defense in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court; Vermont's impaired-driving offense is called DUI and carries a separate civil license suspension process.
• Estate Planning & Probate — wills, trusts, powers of attorney and estate administration through the Probate Division, including planning for farms and family land.
• Business and Employment — formation and contracts for small businesses and farms, and wage, discrimination and wrongful termination claims.
• Workers' Compensation — work injuries handled through the Vermont Department of Labor's workers' compensation program.
• Immigration, Bankruptcy and Social Security Disability — federal practice areas heard in federal courts and agencies; Vermont's border with Canada gives immigration and customs issues a local dimension.
• Medical Malpractice, Tax, Intellectual Property, Civil Rights and Traffic Ticket complete the Vermont categories.

How to check a lawyer's license in Vermont

Lawyers in Vermont are licensed by the Vermont Supreme Court, and licensing records are maintained by the court's Office of Attorney Licensing. The Vermont Judiciary's website provides a public attorney lookup where you can confirm that a lawyer is licensed and in active status. Discipline is handled by the court's Professional Responsibility Board, which publishes public decisions. The Vermont Bar Association is a voluntary organization and is not the licensing authority.

Confirm active status and check for discipline before hiring. If a person is not in the Judiciary's records, they are not licensed to practice law in Vermont.

How to choose a law firm

In a state where many lawyers handle several kinds of work, ask specifically how often the firm handles your type of case and in your county's Superior Court unit. A Chittenden County practice and a Northeast Kingdom practice will know different judges and local customs.

Ask about fees. Injury cases are usually handled on contingency; family, criminal, real estate and estate matters are billed hourly or at a flat rate. Ask what costs are extra, whether a retainer is needed, and how unused funds are returned, and get a written agreement.

Find out who will do the work and how the firm communicates.

Questions to ask at the first consultation

• How often do you handle cases like mine, and in this county?
• What are the realistic outcomes, and what are the main risks?
• Who will handle my case, and how do I reach them?
• How do you charge, what is extra, and can I have it in writing?
• What deadlines apply, and what should happen first?
• Do you have any conflicts, given how small the local legal community is?
• How will you keep me informed?

Free and low-cost legal help

Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont provide free civil legal help to low-income Vermonters in housing, family, benefits and health matters and run a statewide legal help website. The Vermont Bar Association operates a Lawyer Referral Service that connects callers with attorneys for a low-cost first consultation. The Vermont Judiciary offers self-help resources and forms, and the law school in South Royalton runs clinics that take selected cases. A person charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer may ask the court to appoint the Defender General's office.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed Vermont attorney about your situation.