Governor Shumlin swore in, as Superior Court judges, both
former VBA President and Addison County State’s Attorney, David Fenster and VBA
Member and Rutland practitioner, Elizabeth Mann at the Statehouse in Montpelier
today. Shumlin remarked that Mann and
Fenster were chosen because of their grace, dignity, compassion, commitment to
the law and good judgment. He noted that
dispensing justice is “more than just being a really, really good lawyer” but
that other qualities are shown in how these two attorneys live their
lives.
Governor Shumlin said that both Fenster and Mann “get the
rest of it,” that people come into court facing real struggles and that the
lives of the litigants matter. The
Governor said: “Dispensing justice doesn’t mean that you are powerful; it means
that you care.” His speech was followed
by brief and touching expressions of gratitude by both Mann and Fenster, the
official administration of oath and signing by the new judges. Photos were taken and a brief opportunity for
questions was given to the press by the Governor.
The ceremony was attended by many judges and court staff as
well as family, colleagues and friends of both Mann and Fenster. Beth Mann’s parents, husband and two sons
attended, all appearing emotional, as were we all, during her beautiful speech. Dave Fenster’s parents, step-parents, wife
and daughter and son were also all in attendance and were thanked
profusely. Some levity was added when
Dave’s wife’s shoe became lodged in the ventilation grate, which she handled
with grace, and when the Governor’s pen (from “the bottom of the box” due to
the end of his tenure) failed to operate properly, and several replacements
were offered.
Read on for pictures of the event, the guests, and the shoe
and pen incidents!
Judges Toor, Teachout and Hoar awaiting the ceremony.
Governor Shumlin greets Fenster's son with Mann's son in the background.
Coworkers and family of Fenster and Mann watching the ceremony, with VBA President Mike Kennedy in attendance.
Beth Mann giving her touching speech.
Dave Fenster giving his thank you speech.
Beth Mann being sworn in with her family behind her.
Dave Fenster being sworn in with his family behind him.
Just prior to the swearing in, the Governor reacts to the shoe-eating grate!
The point where the pen ran out...
The Governor posed for pictures with both families (after noting that the room was "not iphone friendly"), with reporters blocking, we only obtained this fine iphone photo of the Judge Fenster contingent.
All smiles as judges gather, presumably planning "new guy" responsibilities, post-ceremony!
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