Vt. Sup. Ct. Promulgation Order of Jan. 6, 2026: AO41sec19added

STATE OF VERMONT

VERMONT SUPREME COURT

JANUARY TERM, 2026

Promulgation Order Adding § 19 to Administrative Order No. 41 (Licensing of Attorneys)

Pursuant to Chapter II, § 30, of the Vermont Constitution, it is hereby ordered:

1. That Administrative Order No. 41 § 19 be added as follows:

§ 19. Provisional Licensure.

(a) Eligibility. An applicant for admission to the Bar of the Vermont Supreme Court is

eligible to practice law in the State of Vermont on a provisional basis provided that the applicant:

(1) is currently licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; is not under

suspension or revocation in any jurisdiction for disciplinary reasons; and is a member in good

standing in all jurisdictions in which the applicant practices law; and

(2) has been determined to be eligible for admission to the Bar by the Board of Bar

Examiners and is awaiting the Character and Fitness Committee’s investigation report or

admission to the Bar.

(b) Prerequisites. Prior to provisional licensure, the applicant must submit a form to the

Office of Attorney Licensing certifying compliance with paragraph (a)(1) and agreeing to

comply with and be subject to Vermont statutes and the rules of the Vermont Supreme Court,

including the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Rules Governing Establishment and

Operation of the Professional Responsibility Program.

(c) Expiration. Provisional licensure ends when the applicant becomes fully licensed in

Vermont, withdraws the applicant’s application for admission to the Bar, is denied admission to

the Bar for any reason, or no longer meets the requirements of subdivision (a) above.

Board’s Notes—2026 Amendment

Section 19 is added to allow applicants for admission who are admitted

in another U.S. jurisdiction to fully practice law in Vermont while

awaiting the completion of the Character and Fitness process. Applicants,

upon successful completion of the Character and Fitness process, still

must complete all required steps for full licensure, including taking the

oath of admission.

The Legal Intern rules of the Rules of Admission remain in effect but

now apply to only law students, Law Office Study participants, and

applicants for admission who are not admitted in another U.S. jurisdiction.

2. That this section is added as prescribed and promulgated effective July 1, 2026. The Board’s

Notes are advisory.

3. 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 6th day of January, 2026.

____________________________________

Paul L. Reiber, Chief Justice

____________________________________

Harold E. Eaton, Jr., Associate Justice

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Signed by the Vermont Supreme Court Nancy J. Waples, Associate Justice