Lawyers in Burlington, VT

Finding a lawyer in Burlington

Burlington is the seat of Chittenden County and Vermont's largest city, sitting on the shore of Lake Champlain and home to the University of Vermont. Civil and criminal cases from the area go through the Chittenden County Superior Court, which has separate divisions for civil, criminal, family and probate matters. As the state's largest legal market, Burlington has more firms and a wider range of specialties than most Vermont towns.

Legal issues people in Burlington bring to lawyers

Family and divorce lawyers handle parental rights, child support and property division through the Family Division of the Superior Court. Real estate attorneys work on home and land purchases, title questions and landlord-tenant matters in a market that includes both long-time residents and a large student rental population near the university.

Personal injury and car accident lawyers take on claims from crashes on local roads and the highways serving the Burlington area. Criminal defense attorneys represent clients facing charges in the Criminal Division, with DUI treated as a separate matter carrying its own civil license consequences. Employment lawyers handle wage and discrimination disputes for people working at the city's hospitals, university and businesses. Estate planning attorneys draft wills and trusts and guide families through the Probate Division.

Choosing a law firm in Burlington

Lawyers in Vermont are licensed by the Vermont Supreme Court, and the Vermont Judiciary's public attorney lookup can confirm a lawyer's license is active; the court's Professional Responsibility Board handles and publishes discipline. Ask how often the firm handles cases like yours in the Chittenden County Superior Court, since local practice can differ from courthouses elsewhere in the state.

Get the fee arrangement in writing before signing anything — contingency for most injury claims, hourly or flat fee for family, real estate and criminal matters — and ask who at the firm will actually handle your case.

Free and low-cost help

Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont provide free civil legal help to income-eligible Chittenden County residents in housing, family and benefits matters. The Vermont Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a local attorney for a low-cost first consultation, and the Vermont Judiciary publishes self-help forms for people representing themselves.

Lawyers in Vermont · family lawyers in Burlington · real estate lawyers in Burlington · Nearby: lawyers in South Burlington

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