Vt. Sup. Ct. Promulgation Order of Nov. 4, 2024: A.O.54

STATE OF VERMONT

VERMONT SUPREME COURT

NOVEMER TERM, 2024

Order Abrogating Administrative Order No. 54

PROVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES FOLLOWING FLOOD EMERGENCY

Pursuant to the Vermont Constitution, Chapter II, § 30, and 4 V.S.A. § 901, it is hereby

ordered:

1. That Administrative Order No. 54, promulgated August 7, 2023, and effective August 9,

2023, be abrogated.

Reporter’s Notes—2025 Amendment

Administrative Order No. 54 is abrogated in its entirety. On

August 7, 2023, in response to the floods that devasted Vermont in

July 2023, the Court promulgated Administrative Order 54. The

order created a “Limited Emergency Pro Bono Law License” that

authorized Vermont lawyers on inactive status and out-of-state

lawyers to provide pro bono legal services to those impacted by the

floods without activating their law licenses or obtaining formal

admission under Administrative Order 41. Under § 6, the basis for

the emergency license was set to end when the Court “declares that

the Flood Emergency has either ended or abated to such an extent

that relaxation of the Rules of Admission to the Bar of the Supreme

Court and Supreme Court Administrative Order 41 is no longer

required.”

Although many Vermonters continue to cope with the impact of

the 2023 floods, the emergency has ended, at least to the extent

that it warranted relaxation of the Rules of Admission and

Administrative Order 41. Therefore, the Administrative Order is

abrogated.

2. That this Order be effective on January 1, 2025. The Reporter’s Notes are advisory.

3. That this Order be promulgated without resort to the notice and comment procedures set

forth in Administrative Order No. 11 since the flood emergency has now abated.

4. That the Chief Justice is authorized to report these amendments to the General Assembly in

accordance with the provisions of 12 V.S.A. § 1, as amended.

Dated in Chambers at Montpelier, Vermont, this 4th day of November, 2024.

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Paul L. Reiber, Chief Justice

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Harold E. Eaton, Jr., Associate Justice

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Karen R. Carroll, Associate Justice

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Signed by the Vermont Supreme Court William D. Cohen, Associate Justice

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Nancy J. Waples, Associate Justice