2017 Legislators' Days Recap

The VBA was pleased to once again co-host with the Judiciary a series of Legislators’ Days in the courts in 2017. Starting with Rutland County in September and ending with Franklin County in December, state legislators were invited to visit courts on a specific date in each county. A typical Legislators’ Day involved welcoming participating legislators in the morning with coffee and refreshments, and providing them with the day’s court calendar. Bar ambassadors and/or VBA Executive Director Teri Corsones accompanied legislators to the court hearings that the legislators selected to observe for the morning. If judges’ schedules allowed, they met with legislators in chambers to talk about the hearings. A luncheon attended by the legislators, all the judicial officers, bar ambassadors from each division and court personnel followed over the noon hour.

Many legislators commented on how helpful it was to be able to observe court hearings, and to see, in action, the results of legislation they’d passed. They also appreciated the chance to visit with judges and bar members, to ask questions and to get information about issues affecting the courts and the bar. Legislators were invited to observe court hearings in the afternoon as well. They uniformly appreciated the opportunity to observe and learn, and asked that the opportunity be offered each year.

Special thanks to the bar ambassadors for participating in Legislators’ Days, and for their continued willingness to serve as resources to legislators when questions arise about issues affecting the courts during upcoming legislative sessions. 

Photos from the events are below:

Addison

Bennington

Caledonia/Essex

Chittenden

Franklin

Grand Isle

Lamoille

Orange

Orleans

Rutland

Washington

Windham

Windsor