Out Like a Lion!

The near foot of heavy snow that fell on the last day of March did not deter us from our Mid-Year Meeting joy.  In fact, the word is that attendees had a roaring good time!

One member noted: “This was one of the most enjoyable and delightful VBA meetings I've attended [and I've been to 87 of the last 88 annual/mid-winter meetings]…The venue, rooms, hospitality, staff were all outstanding.”  Another remarked: “I have to say, I think that was the best VBA meeting that I’ve ever attended.  Not that they are not all wonderful, but this one was truly spectacular.”

Here’s hoping March 31^st was the true ‘out like a lion’ from our early March lamb weather and that Spring is finally here!  For those of you kicking yourselves over missing this outstanding meeting, save the date for the May 18-19 Small Firm and Solo Conference at Basin Harbor and think golf weather!

Please enjoy some scenes from our Mid-Year Meeting, below.

 

The Event kicked off with an Ethics presentation by Mike Kennedy and Christopher Ekman.

The VBA and Tri-County Bar sponsored Reception was well-received.  Karl Anderson provided some great entertainment!

Socializing went well into the evening

In the am, the snow was just beginning...

It starts with the registration whirlwind.

 First up, Bankruptcy Basics with Judge Brown, Ray Obuchowski and Heather Cooper

and

Evidence Disputes...a packed house for the panel of judges (Durkin, Teachout and Zonay) moderated by John Evers

and

Financial Wellness with Christine Moriarty

and

 Social Media with Joshua Jarvis, Tom Valente and Mike Kennedy

The morning continued with four more simultaneous programs....

Life Safety Codes with Benjamin Deppmann and Fire Marshall Bruce Martin

and

Representing Non-Profits with Anthony Iarrapino, Jim Porter and Melanie Kehne:

and

The ADR Section on Apology with Emily Gould, Jim Spink and Erika Smart

and

Succession Planning:

with Julius Ciembroniewicz

 

and finally, LUNCH!!

Awards were given to Justice Dooley, John Campbell and the pro bono award was given to Pauline Law, Lila Shapero and Salvatore Spinosa.  The VBF also gave awards to Justice Dooley as well as legacy awards to DRM and VATC.

Justice Dooley with the VBF award

Justice Dooley

John Campbell accepting the award

The contested election for the Board of Managers seat was once again TIED!

What are the odds?  David Carpenter and Andrew Manitsky will have to face off again in October.

David Carpenter addressing the membership

David Carpenter

Andrew Manitsky

Andrew Manitsky addressing the membership

Back to class...

It's snowing in earnest now...

Probate Litigation with Kevin Henry:

and

Real Estate Title 101

With Jim Knapp, Hal Miller and Benjamin Deppmann

  

and

Human Trafficking with Bob Hemley, Abigail Averbach and John Treadwell:

and

Divorce Taxation with Lori Lustberg

and on to our last (but not least) programs...

Representing Veterans

With Katelyn Atwood

and Implicit Bias in the Judicial System, with Judge Waples, John Treadwell, Jessica Brown, Karen Richards and Jay Diaz

and

a packed house for the Future of Debt Collection with Ilerdon Mayer, Grace Pazdan, Judge Toor, Daniel Richardson and Harry Parker

and

a workshop on collaborative divorce with Nanci Smith and Corey Fitzpatrick Wood

Special thanks to all of our Sponsors and Exhibitors who made the meeting possible!  

CGI, Edmund Wheeler, Evidox, Pinnacle Financial, TCI, Thomson Reuters, VATC, VCLF and VT Communication Support Project.

thanks for visiting

Also, Congratulations to Kim Sturtevant at the Burlington City Attorney's Office for scoring BIG and winning the women's history VBA Exhibitor Scavenger Hunt!

Finally, a special guest:

The Equinox is pet friendly, so we were able to go out like a lion into the snow! (well his paws are lion-sized anyway!)

See you at Basin Harbor May 18-19 and the Hilton, Burlington on October 12-13!!

Check our CLE calendar often for more offerings including Real Estate Law Day, Medicare, Woodland Owners, Procrastinators' Day and more!

Spring Forth and Prosper!

Spring has sprung. Meaning, it has flown the coop.  Spring just wanted to make sure we really wanted it--for any of us who were sad when we realized skiing was over.  And shoveling.  Snow made its brief (it has to be brief, right?) reprise.  And soon Spring will be upon us again.  The vernal equinox was March 20^th this year, which is nature’s way of letting the snow know that it is okay for it to leave. Now.

Most importantly, the days are longer.  Snow or no snow, it is easier to get out and about now that the equinox is upon us.  With more daylight comes more energy—spring cleaning really is a phenomenon.  Getting out, or staying in, most find a rejuvenation and desire to accomplish things.  Despite the mildness of this winter, surviving winter in Vermont should always be celebrated. 

This Spring, equinox means THE Equinox! We are venturing south (and west) to try a new venue for our Mid-Year Meeting March 30-31.  And who doesn’t love outlet shopping and fancy locales?  The food choices all looked mouth wateringly good.  Given our last snow dump, skiing may still be an option.  Why not treat yourself to a relaxing stay at the Equinox, and add a spa treatment or shopping?  It is not too late to register, and we’ve arranged an overflow hotel, should the Equinox rate be too daunting.  The CLE offerings are sure to please.  We are privileged to have a renowned social media expert from Boston, a nationally recognized financial speaker from Vermont, and presentations by many of our Vermont judges and our own Attorney General.  Legislative schedule permitting, we also may get a visit from our Governor!  Check out the agenda at www.vtbar.myevent.com. 

Spring also means Spring Journal time.  The Spring Journal is nearly off to the presses.  Stay tuned for entertaining and informative explorations on mushroom foraging, practicing by numbers, tales from Kosovo, parrots, Phish and more.  We also will be offering another cartoon caption contest, so sharpen your newly rejuvenated brain cells for another battle of wits. 

Finally, what would Spring be without discussing new growth?  How about growing your knowledge base, your connections with colleagues and your practice by trying out the new VBA Connect online communities.  Similar to our old listserve, but improved on so many levels, VBA Connect will allow you to share, connect and engage like never before.  Join a discussion and see what the real property folks have known all along…sharing collective wisdom is an extremely valuable resource for your practice.

Here's to all the amazing things that Spring has to offer. Spring forth and prosper.