Staff

The staff at Vermont Legal Aid brings impressive credentials and experience together with a deep commitment to making a difference in the lives of our clients to create a powerful force for justice in Vermont.

Burlington

Susan Alexander, MAP Paralegal

Eric Avildsen, Executive Director

Devon Ayers, Testing Coordinator

Kate Bailey, Health Care Advocate

Rachel Batterson, HDLP Director

Annalee Beaulieu, Health Care Advocate

Emily Bens, Health Care Advocate

Michael Benvenuto, ELP Director

Laura Bierley, Attorney

Jim Brown, Chief Financial Officer

Sherrie Brunelle, Paralegal

Grace Cherouny, VISTA MLP Development Project

William R. Dysart, Attorney

Michael Fisher, Chief Health Care Advocate

Jennifer Fredette, Support Staff

Olivia Graffeo-Cohen, Attorney

Mark Hengstler, Health Care Advocate

Erika Johnson, Attorney

David Koeninger, Deputy Director

Laurie Larson, Health Care Advocate

Zachary Lees, Attorney

Emily Miller, Attorney

Sean Londergan, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Anson Montgomery, Sr. IT & Network Administrator

Alicia Moyer, Ombudsman

Kelly Murphy Moreton, MAP Case Coordinator

Jesse Norford, Support Staff

Mairead O'Reilly, Attorney

Barbara Prine, Attorney

Jessica Radbord, Attorney

Alicia Roderigue, Health Care Advocate

Jill Rudge, Poverty Law Fellow

Rachel Seelig, Attorney

Olivia Sharrow, Health Care Advocate

Julia Shaw, Health Policy Analyst

Marjorie Stinchcombe, Attorney

Jo Telensky, IT and Network Administrator

Leslie Thayer, HR Admin/Accounting, Interim CFO

Rebecca Wells, Accounting Assistant

Betsy Whyte, Executive Assistant

Montpelier

Berry Carroll, Support Staff

Michelle Carter, Ombudsman

Maguire Curran, Attorney

Carolyn Jarrett, Attorney

Kaili Kuiper, Attorney

Jean Murray, Attorney

Cammie Naylor, Attorney

Sandy Paritz, PLP Director

Grace Pazdan, Attorney

Rebecca Plummer, Attorney

Eric Schultheis, Attorney

Montpelier - Mental Health Law Project

Ellen Cheney, Office Manager

Wendy Hoffman, Attorney

Jack McCullough, Director

Gail Sophrin, Attorney

Rutland

Charles Becker, Attorney

Nancy Breiden, DLP Director

Jane Callahan, Paralegal

Jane Munroe, Ombudsman

Maureen O'Reilly, Attorney

Jennifer Philo, Support Staff

Rebecca Smith, Attorney

Springfield

Katrina Boemig, Ombudsman

Leah Burdick, Attorney

Sara Kagle, Attorney

Leslie Kreek, Paralegal

Jeannette Lachapelle, Support Staff

Brigid Lynch, Attorney

Marilyn Mahusky, Attorney

Charlene Wakefield, Accounts Analyst

St. Johnsbury

Stephanie Berube, Support Staff

Maryellen Griffin, Attorney

Alice Harter, Ombudsman

Kelli Kazmarski, Attorney

Wendy Morgan, Attorney

News

Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont Keep Working for Vermonters While Handling Computer System Issues

Please be assured that we continue to work hard on behalf of vulnerable and low-income Vermonters.

Virtual Town Halls on COVID-19 Topics

VLA is hosting a series of virtual town halls on legal issues during the coronavirus crisis. You can attend online or by telephone. See the schedule.

COVID-19 Coronavirus: Legal and Benefits Updates for Vermonters

Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont are posting updates on VTLawHelp.org in regards to the coronavirus crisis. See the updated information here: COVID-19 Coronavirus: Legal and Benefits Updates for Vermonters. Some translations are also available.

VLA Not Seeing Walk-In Clients in Its Offices

Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont are not seeing walk-in clients at this time due to the coronavirus outbreak. Learn more.

MORE NEWS

In the Spotlight

Vermont Legal Aid Advocacy in Overdrive During COVID-19 Crisis

From the first moments of the COVID-19 emergency, Vermont Legal Aid has been quick to advocate for Vermonters by making requests to state officials and legislators — in addition to giving legal help to Vermonters.

Some recent work has included:

Successfully lobbying for a moratorium on utility shutoffs (electric, gas and phones)
Pushing for a statewide moratorium on evictions
Advocating for low-income and vulnerable Vermonters in the Vermont courts
Tracking down Vermonters who were about to be removed from their homes during this health crisis and filing motions to postpone their writs of possession
Lobbying for increases in food benefits for families having a harder time putting meals on the table
Advising and representing those who are denied unemployment compensation
Working to make health insurance more accessible to all by helping Vermonters take advantage of the special enrollment period on Vermont Health Connect, and focusing on decreasing the cost of COVID-19 related care
Advocating to assure that Vermonters with intellectual and developmental disabilities have equal access to life-sustaining treatment and are not discriminated against based on their disability
Promoting the rights of people getting long-term care services
Advocating for rule changes that allow low-income and vulnerable people to continue to access benefits and services during the emergency order
Making recommendations to protect the education rights of students with disabilities as remote education is implemented
Identifying and communicating the most urgent needs within the Developmental Services system
Advocating the use federal funds to promote fair, inclusive housing even during the crisis
Advocating to assure that residents of Vermont’s residential care homes are able to stay safely in their homes throughout the pandemic
Urging state housing policymakers to ensure housing stimulus money goes to the poorest and most vulnerable Vermonters
Advocating in the legislature for low-income and vulnerable people
Advocating for CARES Act funding to be devoted to the needs of low-income and vulnerable people
Outreach and education about COVID-19 changes to the law and rules
Summarizing new laws, rules and procedures on a dedicated COVID-19 page at https://vtlawhelp.org/coronavirus-updates

Things are moving quickly and Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont are working hard to support the well-being of low-income and vulnerable Vermonters.

Vermont Legal Aid welcomes your support!

Read more about Vermont Legal Aid Advocacy in Overdrive During COVID-19 Crisis

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