Vt. Memo to the Bar, Aug. 7, 2023

SUPREME COURT OF VERMONT

OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR

THERESE CORSONES, ESQ. Mailing Address

State Court Administrator Office of the Court Administrator

Therese.Corsones@vermont.gov 109 State Street

Montpelier, VT 05609-0701

Telephone (802) 828-3278

FAX: 802 828-3457

www.vermontjudiciary.org

TO: Members of the Vermont Bar

FROM: Teri Corsones, Esq., State Court Administrator

RE: Flood Legal Assistance – New Emergency Limited Emergency Pro Bono Law License

(LEPL) for Inactive and Non-Resident Attorneys per new A.O. 54; and

Amendment to A.O. 50 (Expansion of OCS Pilot Project to Washington County); and

Amendment to A.O. 4 (Increasing Rate of Pay for Assigned Counsel)

DATE: August 7, 2023

For your information, please find:

• Promulgation of Administrative Order No. 54

• Promulgation Order Amending Administrative Order No. 50

• Promulgation Order Amending Administrative Order 4;§ 6(a)

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PROMULGATED RULE AMENDMENTS

a. Emergency Promulgation Administrative Order No. 54

https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/PROMULGATED--A.O.54--STAMPED

This Order was promulgated on August 7, 2023; effective August 9, 2023.

The purpose of Vermont Supreme Court Emergency Order Promulgating Administrative Order No.

54 is to increase access to legal services to flood victims by relaxing the court rules that apply to the

attorney licensing process in certain circumstances. In particular, the emergency order eases the

process to obtain an active law license for two groups: (1) Vermont lawyers with inactive law

licenses and (2) out-of-state lawyers. A “Limited Emergency Pro Bono Law License” authorizes a

licensee to provide pro bono legal services solely for matters related to the Flood Emergency until

such time that the Court directs.

Administrative Order 54 is linked here:

https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/PROMULGATED--A.O.54--STAMPED

Guidance regarding the application process and eligibility criteria are linked here:

https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/Limited-Emergency-Pro-Bono-Law-License-LEPL-

INSTRUCTIONS-GUIDANCE

The application form is linked here:

https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/Limited-Emergency-Pro-Bono-Law-License-REQUEST-FORM

b. Promulgation Order Amending Administrative Order No. 50

https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/PROMULGATED-A.O.50amendments--STAMPED

This Order was promulgated on August 7, 2023; effective August 7, 2023.

Administrative Order 50, which authorizes a pilot project for service by the Office of Child

Support in certain cases is amended to expand the project to Washington County.

c. Promulgation Order Amending Administrative Order No. 4; § 6(a)

https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/PROMULGATED-A.O.4sec6--STAMPED

This Order was promulgated on July 13, 2023; effective July 1, 2023.

Administrative Order 4, § 6(a) is amended to increase the hourly compensation for assigned

counsel. Pursuant to 13 V.S.A. § 5205(a), the Supreme Court sets “reasonable rates of

compensation” for assigned counsel. The compensation of $50 per hour was established in 1993 and

has not been increased. Both the Vermont Bar Association and the Office of the Defender General

support an increase in compensation.