YLD Mid-Winter Thaw
January 15-16, 2016
Montreal
Schedule
Friday, January 15, 2:00-4:00pm
Marijuana: to advise or not to advise, that is
the question...plus Thaw Bowl III
(2.0 Ethics MCLE Credits)
like all Vermont judges to know.
The Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit lawyers from advising or assisting clients to violate the law.
Possessing, selling, or distributing marijuana is illegal under federal law. How, then, can attorneys ethically advise
clients on marijuana-related issues that are legal under
Vermont law? Join the panel for a lively discussion.
Saturday, January 16, 11:45-1:45pm
Pro Se Litigants and You
(2.0 MCLE Credits)
Michael Kennedy, Bar Counsel
T.J. Donovan, Chittenden County State’s Attorney
Jake Perkinson, President, Champlain Valley Dispensary
Thaw Bowl III
Compete for lovely prizes and parting gifts in the third annual “Thaw Bowl.” Mike Kennedy is back with an even
more fun-filled and shall we say, relaxed version of the
quiz.
Saturday, January 16, 8:45-10:00am
The Lake Champlain TMDL and Act 64 (and
your clients)
(1.25 MCLE Credits)
Hon. Geoffrey Crawford, District Court of Vermont
Eric Miller, US Attorney, District of Vermont
Eileen Blackwood, Burlington City Attorney
As attorneys, we have been trained and thoroughly tested
on how to read and interpret complicated statues, case
law, court rules, and rules of professional conduct. But
what about those parties who wish to litigate disputes
without that prior training and knowledge? Access to the
courts is a major issue across the U.S. and the number of
self-represented parties is on the rise, but how can lawyers
effectively meet the challenges of working with opposing
pro se parties? This panel will discuss views and tips from
the bench, practitioners, and policy makers, and also discuss the ethical concerns of interacting with selfrepresented litigants.
Hon. Paul Reiber, Chief Justice, Vermont Supreme Court
Shap Smith, Partner, Dinse Knapp & McAndrew; Speaker
of the Vermont House of Representatives
Michael Kennedy, Bar Counsel
In 2015 both the State of Vermont and the US EPA draCara Cookson, Former Pro Se Coordinator, District of Vermatically altered the regulation of lands and waters within
mont
the Lake Champlain Basin in an effort to respond to lake
David McLean, Assistant Attorney General, VT Attorney
pollution. This seminar will explore the state of Lake ChamGeneral’s Office
plain, the history behind these regulations, and their impact on landowners and municipalities.
A.J. LaRosa, Murphy Sullivan Kronk
Matt Chapman, General Counsel, Dept. of Environmental
Conservation
Claudine Safar, Partner, Monaghan Safar Ducham PLLC
And others TBD
Saturday, January 16, 8:45-10:00am
Takes Two to Tango: A Dialogue between a
Judge and the Bar
(1.25 MCLE Credits)
Join Judge Geoffrey Crawford as he draws from his experience in Vermont’s state and federal courts to let you know
what judges want to see from Vermont’s lawyers. Then,
watch as the tables are turned and Eileen Blackwood and
Eric Miller instruct Judge Crawford on what lawyers would
Saturday, January 16, 11:45-1:45pm
Crash Course in Cross-Examination
(2.0 MCLE Credits)
Whether you’re taking a civil or criminal case to trial, crossexamination is a vital part of an attorney’s role in the
courtroom, and it can be a tricky skill to perfect. Join us to
hear cross-examination tips from Judge Hoar and two experienced civil and criminal trial attorneys. After presentations, we will provide time for Q & A with our esteemed
panel.
Hon. Samuel Hoar, Superior Court Judge
Ritchie Berger, Head of Litigation, Dinse Knapp & McAndrew
Dan Sedon, Partner, Sedon & Ericson, PC
YLD 2016 Mid-Winter Thaw
January 15-16
The Young Lawyers Division would like to thank our sponsor
Vermont Law School
FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE
2016 MID-WINTER THAW
RECEPTIONS & BRUNCH
Friday, Jan 15—5:00-7:00pm
Cocktail Reception
Sponsored by the
VBA Young Lawyers Division
Saturday, Jan 16—10:15-11:45am
Brunch with Keynote Speaker
David Macaulay
Saturday, Jan 16—5:30-7:30pm
Cocktail Reception
Sponsored by
Vermont Law School
KEYNOTE SPEAKER David Macaulay
David Macaulay is the author and illustrator of renowned books including
The Way Things Work (1988), Castle (1977), The New Way Things Work
(1998, and The Way We Work (2008). A 2006 MacArthur “genius grant”
recipient, Mr. Macaulay resides in Norwich and is a visiting critic at his
alma mater, the Rhode Island School of Design. As TIME once said of
him, “what he draws, he draws better than any pen-and-ink illustrator in
the world.”
NOTE: Materials for the CLE seminars will be available only online at the VBA website. No
printed materials will be available in Montreal. Please visit www.vtbar.org to download
your copy of CLE materials prior to arriving in Montreal.
For laptop users and procrastinators, Le Centre Sheraton offers free WiFi.
YLD 2016 Mid-Winter Thaw
January 15-16
And also...
Early bird raffle of hockey tickets for a future
Montreal Canadiens game!!
Register for the Thaw by
December 31, 2015 to be entered to win
Free group childcare for children
ages 3+ from 5:30pm – 8:30pm on
Friday and Saturday evenings
(restrictions apply, sign up on site
on Friday January 15 at the
registration table)
Two hours of exclusive
gold concierge service to
our program attendees
YOGA for Everyone!
Saturday 7am
with Samara Anderson, an inspirational
yoga teacher, attorney, & assistant
professor at VLS. Please RSVP by
email: [email protected]
Mixology: The Art &
Science of Cocktail Recipes
for spouses/partners
Saturday 9am—10am
To sign up, please e-mail
[email protected]
Complimentary use of a children’s suite complete
with toys, games, wet bar, and bathroom facilities
throughout your stay
HOTEL INFORMATION
The YLD is excited to return to Le Centre Sheraton!
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Newly renovated rooms at a group rate of $135 CAD
per night
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Free wireless access in your room and common areas
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Please note that you must register with the VBA and pay
the registration fee for the conference in order to receive
the special group rate of $135 CAD per night for hotel
rooms or $185 CAD for club level rooms.
Below you will find the appropriate link(s) to
access the site:
An elegant lounge for both Friday & Saturday evening VERMONT BAR ASSOCIATION / 2016 YOUNG LAWYERS
DIVISION (or copy and paste the following link into a
receptions
web browser)
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Private conference rooms for firms or other groups
interested in holding meetings during the conference
(please contact [email protected] if your firm
or group is interested in using this space)
https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/
res?id=1503246128&key=2274AA1E
Group pricing guaranteed through January 11, 2016.
Rates do not include applicable taxes, including 3.5%
Fantastic fitness center with a heated pool & whirlpool lodging tax, 5% federal sales tax and 7.5% provincial
sales tax. These taxes are subject to change without noA central location with hundreds of restaurants within tice. Reservations are held until 6pm unless payment is
four blocks
received. Check-in begins at 3pm; check-out is at noon.
Easy access off of University Avenue/I-10